911 dispatchers with the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office and Emergency Communications Center were recently honored by the Mid-America Regional Council for their efforts providing life-saving services.

Six county employees with these departments received awards at the 2025 Telecommunicators Appreciation Celebration and Outstanding Performance Awards, hosted by MARC’s Public Safety Communications Program, on April 11.

The Outstanding Performance Awards are presented to public safety personnel who consistently perform above and beyond the call of duty, demonstrate exemplary performance in a critical incident, conduct outstanding training performance and have made a significant contribution to the field of public safety over a minimum of 20 years.

The 2025 honorees included these county employees

• Everyday Hero: Joe Hunninghake, Sheriff’s Office
• Outstanding Training Performance: Ryan Reschke, Emergency Communications Center
• Lifetime Achievement:
  • Heather Beabout, Sheriff’s Office
  • Eric Boettcher, Sheriff’s Office
  • Marlynda Dixon, Emergency Communications Center
  • Gale Wash, Emergency Communications Center

The awards ceremony kicked off National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, an annual initiative that honors 911 dispatchers and call takers for their commitment, service and sacrifice.

911 dispatchers with the Sheriff’s Office and Emergency Communications Center are tasked with answering 911 emergency calls, connecting callers with the emergency services they need – whether it’s public safety, fire or emergency medical services.

The Emergency Communications Center serves an area of approximately 1,000 square miles in suburban and rural Johnson and Miami counties, dispatching more than 76,000 Fire and EMS calls per year.

The Sheriff’s Office Communications Division serves 13 different Law Enforcement agencies in Johnson County. They answer approximately 300,000 phone calls per year, and handle over 325,000 events, ranging from traffic stops to emergency calls in progress.