Derek Esters, Austin Meredith Named VFW State EMT and Police Officer of the Year

Edmonson Voice Report:
The VFW Department Of Kentucky just announced that Brownsville Police Officer Austin Meredith was selected as Police Officer of the Year and EMT Derek Esters was selected as EMT of the Year.

Recommended by Keith Sanders, Derek started working at Edmonson County Ambulance Service as a part-time EMT on October 8, 2014.  He was hired as a full-time EMT on February 17, 2020.  Derek began his paramedic training on January 4, 2021 and became licensed as a Paramedic on May 3, 2022.
 
"Derek volunteers to work additional shifts when needed to ensure that our ambulances are adequately staffed," a statement from the VFW local post 6937 said. "Derek regularly participates in continuing education training to maintain and improve his skills as a Paramedic."
 
Derek also serves as a volunteer firefighter with Kyrock Volunteer Fire Department.

Recommended by Brownsville City Police Chief Jeremy Hodges, Officer Austin Meredith is a two-year veteran with the Brownsville Police Department. The VFW stated that he has established himself as a self-motivator working predominantly night shift.

"Officer Meredith is responsible for over 70 drug arrests during his time with the Police Department and multiple others, assisting local and state officers," the VFW stated. "Officer Meredith can be seen patrolling the city during his work week and has established a good working relationship with area businesses, schools and citizens. He is highly visible throughout his shifts, whether providing additional security for high school ball games or participating in traffic enforcement."

During a traffic stop on March 30, 2023, a subject backed into Officer Meredith's patrol car on Main Street in Brownsville in an attempt to flee the scene. Meredith pursued the subject and took heavy fire during the chase. His vehicle was disabled but in the process of calling for backup from county and state units, he was able to rejoin the pursuit in another unit's vehicle. Meredith was able to stay collected despite the life-endangering situation for himself and many others.

He was also awarded the Kentucky Sheriff's Association Medal of Valor for showing courage in an earlier deadly force encounter in 2021 while serving as a deputy for the Edmonson County Sheriff's Office.

Both men reside in Edmonson County with their respective families.