Habersham County Sheriff Joey Terrell and Deputy Corporal Bill Zigan will receive First Responder Citations this week from the Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH). The Northeast Georgia Chapter 531 of MOPH will present the honors at Tuesday’s Habersham County Commission meeting.
Terrell and Zigan were both shot when they responded to a domestic dispute on February 22. Zigan was critically injured.
The Military Order of the Purple Heart was established in 1932 for the protection and mutual interest of those who have received the decoration. It is comprised of more than 45,300 Purple Heart recipients and is the only service organization strictly for combat veterans. Because civilians cannot receive military honors, the group established the First Responder Citation program.
The First Responder Citations are designed to honor all Law Enforcement Officers and Firefighters killed or wounded/injured in the line of duty. According to the group, “Since we cannot award the Purple Heart Medal for their sacrifices, these distinctive plaques convey MOPH’s respect and appreciation for each First Responders’ sacrifice.”
Habersham County Commissioners moved this month’s meeting from their regular time to Tuesday April 21 at 6pm at the Habersham County Courthouse in Clarkesville.
Click here to learn more about the First Responder’s Citation.
