Keesler Federal Honors First Responders of the Year at 10th Annual Awards Program
Saints Legend Devery Henderson participates in program honoring First Responders from Mississippi and Alabama
BILOXI, MS – (November 12, 2025) – Keesler Federal Credit Union on Wednesday honored the bravery and dedication of first responders from Mobile and across Hancock, Harrison, and Jackson Counties at the 10th Annual First Responders of the Year awards in Biloxi.
Saints legend Devery Henderson participated with Keesler Federal in awarding 35 outstanding individuals nominated by their respective public safety agencies as First Responder of the Year.
The awards celebrate the extraordinary efforts of local police officers, firefighters, emergency medical technicians (EMTs), paramedics, and other first responders who often face life-threatening situations and go above and beyond the call of duty to protect and serve their communities.
“We are very proud to recognize these extraordinary men and women who are on the front lines everyday protecting our communities,” said Andy Swoger, President and CEO of Keesler Federal Credit Union. “This is our way to recognize and thank them for their dedication and commitment to keeping us all safe.”
Nominations for the awards were accepted from 35 public agencies in the region, including law enforcement, fire departments, and emergency medical services. Each nominee was selected for their exemplary service, whether in the field, during emergencies, or through their community outreach efforts.
The list of First Responders of the Year from Mobile, AL and Hancock, Harrison and Jackson Counties:
| David Allen | Biloxi Fire Department | |
| Dalton Allen | Gulfport Fire Department | |
| Adam Austin | Mobile County Sheriff’s | |
| Winston Avara | Pascagoula Fire Department | |
| Jonathan Blakeney | Pascagoula Police Department | |
| Reed Bolden | Waveland Fire Dept | |
| Jonathan Bond | Jackson County Office of Emergency Services | |
| Christopher Boswell | Harrison County Fire Rescue | |
| Amanda Branning | Long Beach Police Department | |
| Geoff Brown | Moss Point Police Department | |
| Scottie Byrd | Gautier Police Department | |
| Adam Carter | Ocean Springs Police Department | |
| Marcos Chacon | Pass Christian Fire Department | |
| Christian Cromelin | Gulfport Fire Department | |
| Luis Garcia | Gulfport Police Department | |
| Sam Guin | Ocean Springs Fire Department | |
| Ryan Henry | Pass Christian Police Department | |
| Jonathan Hutchins | Gulf Park Estates-St Andrews Fire Protection District | |
| Mikael Ingram | Long Beach Fire Department | |
| Colton Johnson | Moss Point Fire Department | |
| Paola Lopez-Chavez | USAF | |
| Cody Mallet | D’Iberville Fire Department | |
| Malcom McDonald | Hancock County Sheriff’s Office / Diamondhead Police | |
| Corina McSwain | D’Iberville Police Department | |
| Cindy Milligan | Acadian Ambulance | |
| Tavon Moore | Mississippi Highway Patrol | |
| Tyler Morehead | Keesler AFB Fire Department | |
| Michael O’Ryan | Jackson County Sheriff’s Office | |
| Autumn Ruddy | Pafford EMS | |
| Hollis Smith | City of Biloxi Police Department | |
| Brandon Taylor | Harrison County Sheriff’s Office | |
| Chaise Taylor | Gulfport Fire Department | |
| Aaron Tillman | Gautier Police Department | |
| Aaron Warden | Bay St. Louis Fire | |
| Sean Robson | Prichard Police Department | |
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