The Hill Country 100 Club honored first responders for their outstanding service March 6 at the YMCA of the Highland Lakes. Nominations were gathered from 72 agencies across Blanco, Burnet, Lampasas and Llano counties.
Recognized for their efforts in combating the California Wildfire for 15 days were Capt. Thomas Jacobs of Marble Falls Volunteer Fire Department (VFD), Lt. Jason Blackmon of Horseshoe Bay Fire-Rescue and Engineer Johnathan Morrison of Horseshoe Bay Fire Rescue.
Blackmon spoke about their experience and emphasized the importance of hands-on training. The event continued with a keynote address from Sen. Pete Flores (SD-24).
Following the keynote speaker, a moment of silence was taken for End of Watch in Memoriam to pray for our fallen first responders and their families.
Flores, alongside 100 Club Chairwoman Stephanie Fisher, presented the annual awards, while Vice-Chairman Mark Whitacre read the commendations.
Burnet County Recipients of the Responder of the Year Awards:
• Specialist Coalton K.
Moore, Bertram Fire & Rescue
• Detective Keith Allen Volk, Bertram Police Department
• Captain Cheyenne Beasley, Burnet VFD
• Officer Justin Ornelas, Burnet Police Department
• Deputy Charles Pasternack, Burnet County Sheriff’s Office
• Medic/Firefighter Chris Moore, Burnet Fire & EMS
• Firefighter Daniel Lee, Cassie VFD
• Captain Nowell Malusk, East Lake Buchanan VFD Lieutenant Marcos Villareal, Granite Shoals VFD
• Detective Sergeant Shane Mahoney
• Pilot Benoit Smith, Marble Falls Air Evac
• Paramedic Fox Talamantes, Marble Falls Area EMS
• Engineer Justin Parks, Marble Falls Fire & Rescue
• Sergeant Corey Munroe, Marble Falls Police Department
• Firefighter/EMT Alex Dunavant, Marble Falls Area VFD
• Firefighter John Cufr, Burnet County ESD No.
9
Llano County Recipients of the Responder of the Year Awards:
• Firefighter Debra Vukelich, Buchanan VFD
Communications Officer
• Jay Bauman, Horseshoe Bay Police Department Firefighter Jordan Duecker, Kingsland VFD
• Lieutenant Brenda McAnaugh, Llano County Sheriff’s Office
• Chief Jason Hackworth, Llano VFD
• Captain Trey Rogers, Hamilton EMS-Llano County
• Ranger Dalton Mitschke, Llano County LCRA Rangers
• Game Warden Ryan A.
Johnson, Texas Parks and Wildlife
• Chief Larry Smith, Sandy Harbor VFD
• Officer Tricia Rutledge, Sunrise Beach Police Department
• First Responder Organization Leader Candice Black, Sunrise Beach VFD
• Firefighter Rickey Baker, Valley Spring VFD
Lifetime Achievement Awards were presented to:
• Chief James Tilley, East Lake Buchanan Volunteer Fire Department, for 30 years of service.
• Chief Rocky Wardlow, Horseshoe Bay Police Department, for 44 years of service.
• Sheriff William “Bill” Blackburn, Llano County Sheriff’s Office, for 51 years of service.
• Lieutenant Frank Serpas, Sunrise Beach Volunteer Fire Department, for 25 years of service.
Meritorious Service Awards were given to:
• Trooper Franklin Randolph, Blanco/Burnet/ Llano DPS
• Paramedic/Firefighter Nolan Korte, Burnet Fire & EMS
• Chief Derrick Curtis, Firefighter Daniel
Lee, Rescue Swimmer Adrien Dupont, Firefighter Thomas Herwig,
Cassie Volunteer Fire Department
• Captain Thomas Jacobs, Marble Falls Area VFD Several Meritorious Service Award recipients were recognized for their exceptional courage and swift decision-making in critical situations.
Standoff Intervention In January 2025, Texas Department of Public Safety Trooper Franklin Randolph handled a tense standoff in Burnet County with an armed and suicidal suspect, Kenneth Dean Lester, who had multiple outstanding warrants.
After a vehicle pursuit, Lester barricaded himself in his truck and brandished a modified flare gun capable of firing 12-gauge shotgun shells.
Randolph, trained in crisis intervention, took charge of negotiations after Lester discarded his phone. With backup covering him, Randolph approached with a ballistic shield and engaged in an hour-long negotiation, ultimately convincing Lester to surrender peacefully. His actions displayed remarkable bravery and quick thinking under pressure.
Paramedic/Firefighter Nolan Korte received recognition for his life-saving response to a critical accident.
A young patient with severe head trauma and life-threatening injuries required immediate intervention. Korte provided advanced airway management and hemorrhage control, working efficiently with the healthcare team to ensure the patient received proper care.
His calm demeanor and expert medical care in a high-pressure situation solidified his deserving status as a Meritorious Service Award recipient.
Lake Rescue
On Aug. 11, 2024, the crew of Cassie Rescue Boat 30, led by Chief Derrick Curtis, Rescue Swimmer Adrien Du- Pont, Firefighter Thomas Herwig, and Firefighter Daniel Lee, responded to a distress call on Lake Buchanan after a woman fell overboard from a sailboat without a life jacket. Following an initial search along channel markers, the crew adjusted their course based on a new phone signal, and Rescue Swimmer DuPont soon heard a voice calling for help. Using searchlights, they located the victim, who had been treading water for nearly an hour, showed signs of hypothermia, and transported her to shore for medical assistance, earning them the Meritorious Service Award for their swift and lifesaving actions.
Firearm Response
In October 2024, during a Friday night high school football game at Marble Falls ISD, Capt. Thomas Jacobs of Marble Falls Area VFD responded to an emergency in the visitor parking lot.
A school resource officer had suffered an accidental firearm discharge and was struggling to apply a tourniquet as blood loss increased. Jacobs swiftly secured the tourniquet, called for additional emergency support, and ensured the area remained clear, preventing further panic. His decisive actions helped stabilize the injured officer and reinforced his
unwavering dedication to public safety.
The Hill Country 100 Club’s annual ceremony serves as a reminder of the sacrifices and dedication of first responders in our communities. These men and women risk their lives to protect and serve, and their recognition is well-earned. Their bravery, commitment, and selflessness continue to have a profound impact, ensuring the safety and well-being of the people they serve.
See more 100 Club photos … Page 12
