Now retired Logan County Sheriff's Chief Deputy Rick
Bacon and Logan County Coroner Bob Thomas were both recognized for
their lifetime achievement in emergency service to the people of
Logan County. The two were honored at the conclusion of the Logan
County Board's adjourned session on Nov. 16. Logan County Emergency Management Agency director Dan Fulscher
introduced the 2009 award recipient, Sheriff Steve Nichols. Nichols
then followed tradition and presented Bacon and Thomas with their
awards. Their plaques read: "In recognition of your distinguished service
and life-time dedication to the safety of the citizens of Logan
County."
About Chief Deputy Rick Bacon:
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Retired chief deputy for Logan County Sheriff's Department.
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Served over 30 years with the Logan County Sheriff's Department.
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First served as a deputy, then as a training officer.
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Promoted to chief of operations by overseeing the jail and
dispatch.
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Promoted to sergeant and shift commander.
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The past eight years Bacon served as the chief deputy for Sheriff
Steve Nichols.
A choked-up Nichols kept his comments short, saying,
"We miss you,”
and "Congratulations!"
Bacon's wife, Stacy, a 1st Ward alderwoman for the city of Lincoln,
and other members of his family were present.
Director Dan Fulscher (left), Coroner Bob Thomas and Sheriff
Steve Nichols.
(Click on picture for larger image) About Coroner Bob Thomas:
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Currently Logan County's coroner
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Served 28 years
with the Lincoln Rural Fire Protection District as a
firefighter, assistant chief and eventually six years as the fire
chief before retiring.
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Served as assistant
director with Emergency Services Disaster Agency for four years and helped establish the
first Logan County Local Emergency Planning Committee.
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Served as a chairman for the local Red Cross
chapter for two years.
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Served on the executive board for the Logan County Paramedic
Association.
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Thomas is entering into his second term as the Logan County
coroner.
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Thomas' wife, Penny, and daughter, Sarah, were present for the award. Fulscher said that Thomas' son, Seth, is following in his legacy, now serving
Lincoln Rural Fire Department as first assistant chief, making it the first time
for that department to have father and son as assistant chiefs.
Fulscher added that this is the first time the award has been made to the
same department in consecutive years. The award was established in memory of Larry Shroyer, who served Logan County for
40 years as a leader in emergency services. Shroyer's innovative thinking put
Logan County at the leading edge. One of Shroyer's most noted accomplishments was in helping pioneer the
development of the current Safety Complex. The Logan County Safety Complex now
houses the Lincoln Police Department, Logan County's Sheriff's
Department, jail, Emergency Management Agency, Emergency Operations Center,
radio room and the shared 911 telecommunications and emergency services dispatch
centers. [By
JAN YOUNGQUIST]
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