Chamber of Commerce Luncheon Praises Public Safety

Dozens of first responders were honored Friday at the 44th annual Public Safety Awards Luncheon.

The ceremony included awards for Montgomery County detectives who helped close the Lyon sisters disappearance case.

Detectives Commended for Their Roles in Solving Lyon Sisters Case

Six public other safety agencies who helped county police to solve the 1975 case will receive the Public Safety Government Partner of the Year Award: Federal Bureau of Investigation-Baltimore Field Office; Virginia State Police; Commonwealth’s Attorney Office, Bedford County, Virginia; Bedford County Sheriff’s Office, Bedford County, Virginia; Commonwealth’s Attorney Office, Prince William County, Virginia; and Prince William County Police Department, Prince William County, Virginia.

Also awarded were Police Officer Melissa Coligan, who received the Chief Bernard D. Crooke Jr. Community Service Award. She was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia. After she left the hospital, Coligan helped raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett also received the Public Safety Champion of the Year Award for his efforts leading the county, which included five new fire stations and three renovated police stations.

The event, at the Bethesda North Marriott Convention Center, drew nearly 1,200 business, government and public safety leaders together.

Attendees offered tribute to three fallen officers: Master Firefighter Charles “Rick” Gentilcore, Deputy Chief State Fire Marshal Sander Cohen and FBI Supervisory Special Agent Carlos Wolff.

Gentilcore was found April 7, unresponsive at Burtonsville Fire Station 15 Department where he served as a firefighter for 23 years.

Cohen, who was also a lieutenant with the Rockville Volunteer Fire Department, stopped to help Wolff whose car was stopped on southbound I-270 on Dec. 9. Both men were struck and killed.

Here’s the program book:

Click here for photos from the event.

About Douglas Tallman

Reporter with 35 years experience throughout Maryland. Reach me at dtallman@mymcmedia.org or via Twitter at @MCM-Doug

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