SERVPRO First Responder Bowl honors 5 Nashville police officers, 12 additional local heroes at other Bowl games
First Responder Hero Cards
GALLATIN, Tenn., Dec. 14, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Seventeen first responders will be honored during upcoming college football games for their courage, sacrifice and service.
The SERVPRO First Responder Bowl is set to honor five officers from the Metropolitan Nashville (TN) Police Department (MNPD) for their bravery in the line of duty following the tragic shooting at Covenant School in March 2023.
The five officers were given a National Award of Excellence for quickly responding to the shooting and preventing further damage. Unfortunately, the shooting claimed the lives of six people, including three children.
The officers will be honored during halftime in the SERVPRO First Responder Bowl, a college football game dedicated to emergency workers everywhere who put their lives on the line every day.
“The tragedy our neighboring community experienced that day is indescribable, and continues to touch and impact our families,” said Mike Stahl, SERVPRO’s chief marketing officer. “The actions of these five public servants cannot be overstated. They rushed to fire to protect innocent children and teachers. There is no greater sacrifice. We owe an incredible debt of gratitude for their actions in the face of darkness.
SERVPRO is headquartered in Gallatin, Tennessee, about 30 miles from Covenant School in Nashville.
MMPD officers will join 12 other first responders who will be recognized at dozens of other bowl games during the 2023-24 season. Each is honored for their bravery and service after being nominated by a local SERVPRO franchise.
The 17 first responders scheduled to be honored are:
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SERVPRO First Response Bowl
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Lockheed Martin Armed Forces: Mountain Fire Department (Fort Worth, Texas) and Army SPC Steven Spiegelman
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76® Birmingham Powell: Birmingham (AL) Fire Department Assistant. Fire Chief Michael Bartlett
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RoofClaim.com Boca Raton Bowl – Boca Raton (FL) Fire Department Captain Jonathan Taylor
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Camellia Powell – Montgomery (AL) Firefighter Roger Musk
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Cricket Celebration Bowl – Atlanta (GA) Charis Putmon RN
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Scooter’s Coffee Fresco Pot – Celina (TX) Police Department Cpl. Alex Jones
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Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl – Sarasota County (FL) Emergency Management Chief Edward McCrane
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EasyPost Hawai’i Bowl – Honolulu (HI) EMS Unit Supervisor Belinda Lee
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Famous Idaho Potato Bowl – Ada County (ID) Sheriff’s Office Deputy Todd Nelson
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SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl – Las Vegas (NV) EMT Paul Zumaya
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Isleta New Mexico Bowl – (Deming, New Mexico) New Mexico State Police. Ismail A. Perez
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TaxAct Texas Bowl – Harris County (Texas) Sheriff’s Office Deputy LaTavia Davis
This is the sixth year that SERVPRO, a leading cleaning, restoration and construction company, has been the title sponsor of the First Responder Bowl.
“Our first responders embody courage every day, and are often called upon to put their lives on the line,” said Brett Ponton, CEO of SERVPRO. “The SERVPRO First Response Bowl is dedicated to these brave men and women working to keep our communities safe and healthy. We will never be able to thank them enough. We hope everyone watching takes a minute to think about the first responders in their communities.”
This is the first time in SERVPRO First Responder Bowl history to feature a Texas all-state game when Texas State hosts the Bobcats (7-5, 4-4 Sun Belt) and Rice Owls (6-6, 4-4 American Athletic). .
The game is scheduled to kick off on Tuesday, December 26, at 4:30 PM (CT) at Gerald J. Ford Stadium at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. The game will be broadcast on ESPN and simulcast on ESPN+.
Do you know the hero? Send their photos
Fans of first responders are encouraged to share the name and photo of the first responder in their life for the SERVPRO First Responder Bowl Everyday Heroes wall presented by StaffDNA. It could be a friend, a loved one, a neighbor, or even yourself. The Everyday Heroes wall will be posted virtually on the SERVPRO First Responder Bowl website at firstresponderbowl.com/everydayheroes.
First Responder tickets are free
As an additional way to say “thank you” to those who arrive first each day, SERVPRO is offering four free tickets to the First Responder Bowl to first responders on a first-come, first-served basis. To claim tickets, go to firstresponderbowl.com/tickets and select the “First Responders” tab.
All tickets and parking passes will be digital. See the website for more information about tickets and the ticket application.
About ServPro®
For over 50 years, SERVPRO has been a trusted leader in fire and water cleanup and restoration, construction, mold mitigation, and biohazard and pathogen remediation services. SERVPRO’s professional service network of more than 2,200 individually owned and operated franchises extends across the U.S. and Canada, responding to property damage emergencies large and small – from million-square-foot commercial facilities to single homes. When disasters strike, homeowners, business owners and major insurance companies alike rely on SERVPRO to make it “as if it never happened.”
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CONTACT: Kim Brooks Servpro Industries, LLC 615-451-0200 kbrooks@servpro.com
During the 2023-24 college football season, 17 first responders were honored for their bravery and dedication to serving their communities. These individuals put their lives on the line every day to keep us safe, and it is only fitting that they be recognized and celebrated for their selfless actions. Their commitment to helping others in times of need exemplifies the true spirit of heroism, and their contributions were rightfully acknowledged during the college football season. These first responders serve as a reminder of the importance of gratitude and support for those who sacrifice so much for the well-being of others.