Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — Held during the January Community Potluck, the Orange Beach Community Association recognized the city’s top public safety employees at the Community Center. Interim Police Chief Trent Johnson and Fire Chief Jeff Smith presented the awards. The event highlighted the dedication of local first responders. Officials said the honors reflect strong community support.​

The ceremony took place on Monday, January 5, 2026, with residents gathering to applaud the honorees. Lt. Lisa Augustin was named the 2025 Officer of the Year for leading a complex child recovery case that extended beyond the country’s borders. Johnson said, “Were it not for her investigative skills, leadership, and relentless tenacity, the child would not be back with her family today.”​

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IT Administrator Stephen Centrone received the 2025 Employee of the Year award for modernizing police technology and meeting federal standards. “He knows the ins and outs of law enforcement and the IT world,” Johnson said. “He brought us innovation.” Johnson thanked both Augustin and Centrone as he handed them their awards.​

Fire Chief Smith presented the 2025 Firefighter of the Year award to Lt. Zachary Cook, noting his service record, leadership, and years of mentoring others. “It’s a cumulative of everything that he does and who he is,” Smith said. Cook, a former Marine, told the crowd, “None of us do this for any recognition, but when you work hard, and someone sees it, and they recognize you, it really does mean a lot.”​

This information was taken from the article by Marc Anderson with the City of Orange Beach.Click here to read the full article.