JACKSON, Tenn.- During a ceremony in Nashville, TN, Governor Bill Haslam
posthumously presented the “Three Stars of Tennessee Award” to the late
Madison County Deputy Rosemary Vela. This award was given as a result of
Deputy Vela’s death on September 28, 2015, while she was responding to a
call of service.  Sheriff John Mehr received the award for the family of
Deputy Vela.

Additionally, at the above ceremony, Deputy Andrew Pollock of the Madison
County Sheriff’s Office and Madison County Fire Marshall Don Friddle
received the “First Responders Award. Deputy Pollock received his award for
saving the life of a young man in Madison County earlier this year, while
Fire Marshall Friddle was honored for organizing and coordinating the
search for young Noah Chamberlin in January of this year.  Sheriff Mehr and
Madison County Fire Department’s Chief Eric Turner were in attendance at
this ceremony, along with several family members and co-workers.