Local firemen and deputy recognized

BY ROSEMARY SMITH, Examiner editor

Grimes County Sheriff Deputy Nicolette Sandoval and Navasota Firemen Eddie Parrott and John M. Flores were recognized at the 100 Club’s 54th annual Heroes Awards Banquet held in Houston on May 14. Sandoval received the “Rookie of the Year” award as Flores and Eddie Parrott were named “Firefighters of the Year”. The 100 Club honored 45 law enforcement officers and firefighters from the 18-county 100 Club service area, who performed above and beyond the call of duty.

Heroic efforts by Deputy Sandoval included pulling 20-year-old Ashley Porter from the burning wreckage of a 2000 Jeep Cherokee following an early morning crash in an open field in Navasota on October 5, 2007. Passerby Larry Farmer, a Houston Chronicle deliveryman, assisted her.

“It’s a real prestigious honor and makes you real proud to see one of your own honored. Grimes County has been well represented by the firefighters and officer getting awards,” said Sheriff Don Sowell.

On his first day on the job as a Navasota firefighter, Parrott saved the life of Eugene Allen with Fireman Flores’ help on the morning of January 12, 2007.

After firemen arrived at the scene of a trailer house almost fully engulfed in flames, they were informed that 59-year-old Allen was still inside the trailer, in a back bedroom. Parrott attacked the house fire with a hand line and searched until he found Allen lying unconscious on the floor by her bed. Fireman Flores assisted in safely removing Allen from the burning house.

“They’re wonderful firemen,” said Fire Chief Jason Katkoski, who is proud of both men for their valiant efforts.

In the last three years, the fire department has had a total of six firemen honored at the Heroes Awards Banquet, including 2006 Rookie of the Year Josh Kettler, 2006 Firefighters of the Year Larry White and Daniel White, and 2007 Firefighter of the Year Lance Hall.

Current Firefighters of the Year, Parrott and Flores, received a Cairns “Sam Houston Model” Firefighter Presentation Helmet and a glass firefighter’s ax inscribed with the 100 Club logo.

Local law enforcement has had three honored in the last few years, including Deputy Sandoval, who received a Sig Sauer Model 229 .40 caliber semi-automatic pistol and an etched Jade Glass Award. Deputy Johnny St. Clair and Game Warden Johnny Heaton were previously honored.

The 100 Club began in Houston, Texas in 1953 when 100 men, each contributed $100, as they wanted to help the families of Houston Police Officers that were killed in the line of duty. Seventeen surrounding counties have been included since then, including Grimes County.

Approximately $9,495,000 has been distributed to 121 families of men and women killed in the line of duty. In October 2001, the 100 Club began providing benefits to dependents of firefighters killed on the line of duty. Over $10 million has been given for life protective equipment, including bulletproof vests and communication equipment.

If you would like to help contribute to this worthy cause, which supports and honors both law enforcement officers and firemen, please visit www.the100club.org.