The Hill Country 100 Club held its annual awards banquet March 5 at the YMCA of the Highland Lakes, bringing together 362 first responders and family members from across the region to recognize service, sacrifice, and dedication in the line of duty.
Pastor Ross Chandler of First Baptist Church Marble Falls opened the evening with the invocation. A solemn End of Watch In Memoriam honored those who lost their lives while serving their communities: Llano County Sheriff’s Deputy Sheriff Andy Taylor, Briggs Firefighter Chad Wessels, Marble Falls Area EMS Paramedic Eric Hanson, BCSO Deputy David Blake, Firefighter Ronald Sanderson, BCSO Corrections Sgt. Anthony Riddle, Burnet Fire Department Paramedic Daniel Hampton, Burnet K-9 Officer Jose Meza, Spicewood Fire Chief Sam Stacks of Burnet ESD No. 9, Marble Falls Area VFD Fire Chief Michael Phillips and Copperas Cove Police Officer Elijah Garretson.
Keynote speaker District Judge Allan Garrett of the 33rd/424th Judicial District Courts reflected on the everyday impact first responders have on their communities.
“First responders affect lives in ways that don’t always make the newspapers, but they are real,” Garrett told the audience. Addressing the responders and their families, he added, “In your profession, you run to the problem, not away from it. And just as importantly, I want to thank the families. You sacrifice so that everyone else can be helped.”
Following Garrett’s remarks, the Hill Country 100 Club presented its annual Responder of the Year Awards, recognizing individuals from agencies throughout Burnet County and the Highland Lakes region.
Those honored included Texas DPS Highway Patrol Trooper IV Nestor Reyes; Bertram Fire & Rescue Specialist Kevin Garcia; Burnet VFD Lieutenant Laney Graham Jr.; Burnet Police Department Sergeant Gary Edwards; Burnet CISD Police Department Safety Specialist James W. Taylor; Burnet County Sheriff’s Office Communications Shift Lead Mikayla Cloud; Burnet County ESD #9 Fire Rescue Firefighter Grant Ferrell; Burnet Fire and EMS Firefighter/EMT Cody Dixon; CareFlite Rotor Wing Pilot Timothy Middleton; Cassie VFD EMS/Firefighter Megan Foster; East Lake Buchanan VFD Lieutenant Andy Gray; Granite Shoals Fire Department Engineer Nick Mokey; Granite Shoals Police Department Officer John P. Gillespie; Highland Lakes Regional Emergency Communications Center Communications Officer Kacie Jordan; Hoover’s Valley VFD/EMS Firefighter Tyrel Busby; Marble Falls Area EMS Captain Carmen Rodriguez; Marble Falls Fire and Rescue Driver/Engineer Jordan Thomas; Marble Falls Police Department Officer Blaine Hooten; and Marble Falls Area VFD Assistant Fire Chief Thomas Jacobs.
The evening also included Meritorious Service Awards recognizing extraordinary leadership and actions beyond routine duty.
Staff Sgt. Swain of the Burnet County Sheriff’s Office was recognized for building and managing the department’s drone program, now an important resource for emergency response across Burnet County. During the July floods, Swain and his team conducted aerial searches for missing persons, vehicles, and other indicators that could assist rescue crews. The drone team continues to assist agencies across the county during fires, search operations, and major incidents where aerial perspective is critical.
Investigator Joshua Day of the Burnet Police Department was honored for his work in digital forensics and special victims investigations. Since joining the department in December 2023, Day has helped implement advanced forensic technology used to extract and analyze evidence from electronic devices. In one investigation that began as a harassment case, Day uncovered hidden digital evidence that led to additional felony charges involving child exploitation. His work continues to support prosecutors and ensure victims receive justice.
Emergency Management Coordinator Amanda Carlisle of the City of Marble Falls was recognized for her leadership during the July 2025 flooding that impacted Burnet County. After monitoring rapidly escalating conditions, Carlisle reported to the Marble Falls Police Department and began coordinating response operations, securing air support resources and establishing communication among responding agencies. When Marble Falls assumed responsibility for response operations on the south end of the county, Carlisle coordinated staffing, resources, and situational awareness during the prolonged emergency response.
Robin Bergman of the Highland Lakes Regional Emergency Communications Center was also recognized for her leadership and dedication. As Communications Center Shift Supervisor and Training Officer, Bergman oversees operational guidelines, training, and reporting that strengthen regional emergency communications while also managing the center’s public communications presence.
Lieutenant Charles Hodges Trammell of the Sunrise Beach Fire Department received recognition for a life-saving water rescue on Lake LBJ. While serving as shift commander, Trammell launched his personal watercraft to assist two women struggling in the water after a kayak capsized. Both were exhausted and unable to reach shore. Trammell brought them safely back to land, preventing what could have become a tragic outcome.
Texas Parks and Wildlife Game Warden Braxton Harris was honored for rescuing an injured man below Max Starke Dam in Marble Falls. Using his familiarity with the remote area and coordinating with local landowners, Harris located a man who had fallen from a cliff and was suffering from hypothermia. Harris helped guide EMS crews to the scene and assisted in transporting the victim across the lake to waiting medical personnel.
The evening concluded with closing remarks from 100 Club Board Chairman Mark Whitacre. Chandler then led attendees in singing the first and last verses of “Amazing Grace,” bringing the gathering to a quiet close as the community reflected on the service and sacrifice of those who stand ready to respond when others are in need.
