Cincinnati Firefighters, Police Officers Honored for Going 'Beyond the Call'

Beyond the Call Awards at Cincinnati Christian University

CINCINNATI – Police Officer Sonny Kim and FAO Daryl Gordon were posthumously honored Thursday morning at Cincinnati Christian University for going ''Beyond the Call' of duty.

The 11th annual Beyond the Call service in the university's Worship & Ministry Center honored the commitment to the community of more than a dozen total members of the Cincinnati Police and Fire departments.

You can watch the full ceremony in the media player below.

The award program aims honor public servants, law enforcement officials and other first responders who serve our great city.

Awards are given for community service and problem solving; bravery and valor; devotion to duty and career achievement.

Special recognition was given to Kim and Gordon, who paid the ultimate sacrifice protecting residents of Cincinnati. Both were killed in the line of duty earlier this year. 

Kim, a beloved member of the Cincinnati Police Department, received praise during the service from speaker Assistant Chief Dave Bailey who was at the scene the day Kim died.

“I worked with Sonny Kim when I was in District 2 many, many years ago and he was the police officer everybody would want to have respond to an incident,” Bailey said.

Accepting on Gordon’s behalf were fellow firefighters, classmates, and dear friends, firefighter Willie Jones and FAO Robert Anderson. Each man spoke with emotion about their fallen brother.

Others Honored

The Cincinnati Fire Department was honored to have three other members recognized during the annual event. 

• Firefighter Michael Gundrum will be awarded the Honorable Mention for Bravery and Valor.  He is being recognized for his decisive, life-saving actions in a medical emergency while off duty in April of this year.
• Fire Apparatus Operator Gregory Hissett is being honored with the Community Service and Problem Solving Award for his efforts in raising Down syndrome awareness and coordinating an annual event at Station 19.  The event pairs children diagnosed with Down syndrome with a firefighter for an afternoon at the station, followed by an evening at a Reds game together.
• District Chief Fred Prather will be a recipient of the Career Achievement Award for his efforts as the District Chief of the Fire Prevention Bureau.  Over the last 11 years, he has overseen numerous outreach and educational events.  These events have reached thousands of local children, teaching them the importance of fire, water, and bike safety.

Cincinnati Police Department Officers Doris Scott and Justin Moore were also be honored for Bravery and Valor, while Sgt. Shannon Heine and Officer Terry McGuffey received recognition for Devotion to Duty.

Police Officers Alisha Stevenson (Community Service and Problem Solving) and Steven Fox (Devotion to Duty) received honorable mentions.

In addition to the awards, part of the festivities included the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department Bagpipe Corps and the Cincinnati Police Honor Guard. Former Cincinnati Bengals All-Pro safety David Fulcher was the guest speaker.

About the Beyond the Call Service

Cincinnati Christian University holds a special chapel service every year to honor first responders whose dedication to public safety leads them to perform above and beyond the call of duty in their work.

Thursday marked the 11th year that CCU has invited first responders and the public to its Beyond the Call program. Following the chapel service, individuals from area fire and law enforcement agencies will be recognized for their “Beyond the Call” performance in four categories:  Bravery and Valor; Customer Service and Problem Solving; Devotion to Duty; and Career Achievement.

Below is more information about each of the respective honors.

Community Service and Problem Solving

For honorees who have devoted themselves to an unusually high level of service to the community, engaging with others in a positive way to resolve issues of concern to individuals and community groups.

Bravery and Valor

For honorees who have risked their own safety in extraordinary or heroic ways in order to protect the innocent, save lives, and ensure justice for our citizens.

Devotion to Duty

For honorees who have demonstrated extraordinary dedication in the performance of their daily tasks for the benefit of their community.

Career Achievement

For honorees who have demonstrated a long-term commitment to professional, faithful, and sacrificial service in public safety through the years.

Beyond the Call Awards from CitiCable on Vimeo.