Emergency personnel are often the first ones on scene during a traffic accident, house fire or another catastrophic event. Some even lay down their lives in the line of duty. When that happens, the Chisholm Trail 100 Club steps in.
The CT100 Club is a nonprofit organization with a mission to support first responders and their families in the event of a catastrophic event. The club’s service area includes 1,985 first responders in Johnson, Somervell and Hood counties and the city of Mansfield.
Each first responder in the club’s service area is provided — at no charge to the first responder — $80,000 in line of duty accidental death and serious bodily injury benefits; as well as various scholarship opportunities for their dependents.
Several of Johnson County’s emergency personnel were honored Thursday night during the CT100 Club’s annual membership meeting. The meeting is an opportunity for all members of the club to celebrate first responders, as well as gather, network and discuss the year’s successes.
“We do all that we do quite simply for our first responders and their unrelenting passion of serving others,” CT100 Club President Bob Alford said. “Whether they are solving crimes, taking the 9-1-1 calls and calmly talking through the situation with those on the other end who are panicking, working horrific accidents/medical emergencies or fighting wildfires in the Texas summers, the first responders of our service area are here for each one of us — and we are so very thankful!”
About 300 members, first responders and guests attended the meeting, which was catered by Jimmie’s Restaurant.
Bill Justice spoke about “Boundaries Without Borders.” He is the program manager for Oklahoma Department of Public Safety Active Threat Response Programs, director of the Office of the Medical Director Special Operations and Outreach and associate director of the University of Oklahoma Department of Emergency Medicine Center for Pre-Hospital and Disaster Medicine.
Life Saver Award
Members of three different departments were recognized with the Life Saver Award for the May 5 swift water rescue that saved the lives of two adults involved in a flooding situation.
“Tonight we recognize the individuals from Rendon VFD, Alvarado FD and the Johnson County ESD dispatchers for their heroic efforts on that night, who with very limited resources made it possible to save two lives,” CT100 Club Awards Committee Chairman Tom Cowan said.
Those honored included:
• Rendon Volunteer Fire Department: Captain Paul Rupp, Captain Loren Bennett, firefighter/paramedic Tanner Headstream and firefighter/EMT Eric Fegan.
• Alvarado Fire Department: Captain Jody Bellah, Assistant Chief Brad Hargrove, firefighter Ashtion Kennedy and firefighter Jeremy Rosas.
• Johnson County Emergency Services District: Dispatchers Jaime Ayala and Les Woodard.
Each were given a clock to signify, “the time” they provided to “that individual and their family during this event,” Cowan said. The most precious gift a person can receive is the gift of time with which to live their life, he said.
Above & Beyond Award
Incoming Chisholm Trail 100 Club President Mike Erinakes presented David Smith, president of Alpine Shooting Range, with the Above & Beyond Award for his exceptional support and assistance with the club’s annual Clay Shoot and VIP Party.
Lifetime Achievement Awards
Two Lifetime Achievement Award recipients were selected from nominees who have provided 20 years or more of service in the CT100 Club coverage area. Those honored were Rio Vista Volunteer Fire Department Chief Gail Hutchison and Dr. John Knox, Hood County first responder chaplain.
Hutchison has served the department for over 50 years. Before joining the fire department, he served in the U.S. Army, was drafted in 168 and deloyed to Vietnam, where he served with the 101st Airborne Division. As a soldier he was awarded several medals, including the Bronze Star with V device for valor, the Purple Heart and Air Medal.
Hutchison joined the department in 1973. During his tenure he has participated in the advancement of the fire service provided for the citizens of Rio Vista and the surrounding area, through the purchase of upgraded equipment to improvements in training. On more than one occasion he and other members actually built some of the equipment, including fire trucks.
In the early 1980s he trained and became certified as an Emergency Care Attendant to help provide Emergency Medical Services to the community. He also continued to train in firefighting and rescue techniques. He worked diligently with other members of the department to put on fundraising events such as street dances and carnivals bringing the community together for family entertainment while providing the necessary funds to procure much need equipment.
At various times over his 50 years of service he has been elected to and held the offices of assistant chief and chief.
Hutchison is also a humble man and has often been heard to say, “We’re just doing our job” when complimented or being question about an incident by media.
Knox and his family moved to Granbury in 2004 to serve as a local pastor and police chaplain. He began serving first responders in Granbury with his appointment as chaplain for the Granbury Police Department in 2006 and later assisted in supporting other agencies across Hood County, including the Department of Public Safety, Hood County Sheriff Department, Texas EMS and the nine volunteer fire departments.
Whether it was a routine ride-out, counseling, serving death notices, providing
Critical Incident Stress Management support, growing out his beard for Santa Cops, praying over the staff of Lake Granbury Medical Center during COVID or helping serve every Tuesday during First Responders’ Lunch, Knox served the people and first responders of Hood County for 20 years.
When Granbury had an EF4 tornado hit May 15, 2013, Knox was quick to act to support the victims of the storm and the responders who were on the scene for days on end. On June 28, 2013, when Hood County Sheriff Deputy Lance McLean was killed in the line of duty and Granbury PD Officer Chad Davis was shot in the line of duty, again, Knox was there day and night supporting everyone involved, as he still does 11 years later.
“As a non-paid member of the Granbury Police Department, John was often called to crime and accident scenes to be with victims, family members and law enforcement in some of the worst moments of their lives, offering comfort and support when they need it most,” a spokesperson for Granbury PD said. “He knows every one of our officers and their spouses, can tell you how many kids they have and he cares about them deeply as people who are more than their badges. When they encounter horrible scenes and situations, John has been there to help them process the difficult emotions and heavy weights that come with being a first responder.”
Numerous commendations and testimonials have been received for Knox’ service — from Hood County DPS Troopers to the Cresson Volunteer Fire Department, Granbury High School and many more testifying to the help and support provided by Knox to the Granbury community.
“One of the first decisions I made after being appointed chief was appointing John as our chaplain, and to this date it sits at the top of the list as one of the best decisions I have made as chief,” Granbury Police Chief Mitch Galvan said. “John’s professionalism, quick humor, and his exceptional talent in dealing with people made him a perfect fit for our department. The support he has given to my officers, as well as myself, has been invaluable. He also supported our regional SWAT team as a chaplain and hostage negotiator, so you can’t really talk about the serving and supporting of law enforcement and first responders in Granbury and Hood county without mentioning John Knox, because he sets the bar!”
Scholarships presented
Bonnie Davis, chairman of the club’s scholarship committee recognized the 2024 MADD Hunter Venture Capital Group Scholarship recipients and provided the background on the club’s scholarship program.
“The MAAD Hunter Venture Capital Group Inc. Scholarship was started in 2016 by board member and local businessman Mike Erinakes and his wife, Angie,” Davis said. “This scholarship is intended to provide support for children of the first responders we cover. The scholarship is for $1,000 a year and is renewable with qualifying grades for four years, for a total possible benefit of $4,000. In 2024, the Chisholm Trail 100 Club received many outstanding applications and selected two outstanding students for this honor.”
The 2024 recipients are:
• Maycee Ball, daughter of Cleburne Fire Department’s Travis Ball and Krecia. Maycee, a 2024 graduate of Burleson High School, will attend Oklahoma State University to study agribusiness.
• Addison Willingham, daughter of former Cleburne Fire Department’s Robert Willingham and Tanya. Addison, a 2024 graduate of Blum High School, will attend University of Mary Hardin-Baylor to study nursing and play collegiate volleyball.
“Over the years, the CT100 Club has assisted 19 total scholarship recipients; and currently, we have a total of eight students on scholarship,” Davis said.
Other business
The membership also voted on the 2024-27 board of directors.
The club also recognized Tim Sinclair for his 10 years of service as a director for the organization. Cresson Volunteer Fire Department was also recognized for winning the 2024 “VIP Party Challenge Cup for their assistance in helping raise funds at the club’s annual VIP Party.
The evening concluded with the hand-off of the gavel from President Bob Alford to the 2024-26 President Mike Erinakes.
For information about the Chisholm Trail 100 Club, visit ct100.org.