[0:08] We're okay. Thank you. It's good to see all of you this afternoon. We've got a

[0:12] lot of um a lot to celebrate tonight. We're going to go through a very quick

[0:16] city council meeting though. I promise it will be very, very fast. Um and then

[0:20] we're going to get to the heart of the matter for the reason that all of you

[0:23] are here tonight, which is such an important event. So, uh our meeting is

[0:27] called to order. And at this point, I'm going to call on uh Chaplain Craig Naws

[0:32] to come to the podium, please, and offer our opening prayer.

[0:41] » If you would, would you join me in prayer?

[0:44] Father God, we uh we thank you and praise you tonight. I'm reminded of the

[0:51] gospel hymn, To God be the glory. Great things you have done, Lord. We don't

[0:56] deserve those things that you've done for us, but we praise you and thank you

[1:01] for being God. Thank you for how you have worked in this community and

[1:06] continuing to work and have been with this city and community and especially

[1:12] with our officers um almost eight, nine months ago. Thank you for how you're

[1:19] still with them and with their families and how Lord that you continue to heal

[1:25] in every way. So Lord, we give you praise and honor and glory tonight. So I

[1:31] pray Lord that as we go through this time of meeting and then awards. I pray

[1:37] Lord that you will just minister to each family here. Speak to our hearts. Draw

[1:42] us closer together. Thank you for the love that we share together as a family

[1:46] and a community for many of us here. We've been here a number of years and we

[1:52] were born and raised here in Tiffan and we thank you for this community and we

[1:57] pray your blessings upon those who lead and we thank you that uh you've given

[2:02] them a privilege and honor and responsibility and I pray father that

[2:06] you'll guide and direct in the decisions they make here in this room and in other

[2:12] parts of this this city. So Lord, we give you the honor and glory and praise

[2:17] tonight for your presence here and we pray your blessings on each person in

[2:22] Jesus name I pray. Amen. >> Amen. Thank you Craig. Also the city of

[2:27] Tiffan has a youth council. I don't know if many of you are aware of that but we

[2:30] have um students from uh the high school Tiff County High School and Tiffary

[2:35] Academy who serve through the year uh and fill the various roles of the

[2:39] council and get very involved in the community activities. And I'd like to

[2:43] introduce our current youth mayor, Mr. Christian Krabs. And Christian is come

[2:47] to gonna come to the podium and he's going to lead us in our pledge this

[2:50] evening. So Christian or I should say Mayor Craps

[2:57] to stand up, please.

[3:02] I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the

[3:08] republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and

[3:15] justice for all. >> Thank you.

[3:17] » Thank you, Christian.

[3:22] » All right, gentlemen, you have the agenda in front of you that's sent out

[3:24] in plenty of time by our city clerk, uh, Jessica, for us to review. So I will

[3:28] take a motion concerning approval of the agenda or if there are any changes

[3:32] » move to approve. >> All right. Thank you. So we have a

[3:33] motion and a second. Any further discussion? All those in favor please

[3:37] say I. >> I. Any opposed? Also in your packet were

[3:40] minutes from our previous meeting. So you've had a chance to review those. So

[3:44] I'll make a take a motion concerning the approval of those minutes or if there

[3:47] were any changes. >> Move to approve.

[3:49] » Thank you. Is there a second? >> Second. So we have a motion seconded by

[3:52] Lester. Uh any other discussion? All those in favor please say I.

[3:56] » I. Any oppose? That does carry. Um Jessica, do we have any public comments

[4:00] tonight? Okay, perfect. All right, we have a couple of new business items we

[4:04] need to go through very quickly. Um we do have a recommendation for uh GEMA

[4:10] generator project and Adam presented that information. Adam, if you want to

[4:13] come and give us a quick update and uh then we'll move on to the next item.

[4:17] » And I'll be fast. I know we got a lot of stuff going on. See you. Um so u back

[4:22] during some of the hurricanes several years ago, we um put in for grants for

[4:27] um some generators. We've got those quotes back and um the total quote was

[4:34] uh lowest bid was 129 or 1 1,296522.

[4:40] um grant funding piece was going to be 896,972

[4:45] which leaves us about $400,000 um for us to to put in to get those in and

[4:51] understand it's been couple several years so the cost of those went up since

[4:56] the grant was funded. We had three biders we are recommending to go with

[5:01] Ready Power LLC who was the only one that was um they were the lowest bidder

[5:05] but they were also the only one that met all the criteria.

[5:08] » Okay. So, um just asking for approval for those generators to go to those five

[5:13] locations within the city. >> Okay. All right. Thank you. And that

[5:15] information is in our packet. So, gentlemen, I'll open the floor for uh

[5:19] consideration for a motion concerning the uh the generator project.

[5:23] » Motion for approval. >> All right. Is there a second?

[5:26] » All right. Thank you, Michael. We have a motion to second. Any further

[5:28] discussion? All those in favor, please say I. I. Any opposed? All right. We

[5:34] also have a resolution designating Liiesta del PBLO as a festival. Jessica,

[5:38] any updates on that or is that their their annual application? Okay. So,

[5:43] » and in previous years, it'll be held September in Fwood Park.

[5:46] » SE What was the date again? >> September.

[5:50] » Okay. Thank you. In Fullwood Park. Okay. And we've done this in the past,

[5:53] gentlemen. So, I'll take a motion concerning designating that as a

[5:56] festival. >> Move to approve.

[5:58] » All right. Second. >> All right. Sorry. A motion and a second.

[6:00] All in favor? Any further discussion? All in favor, please say I. I. Any

[6:05] opposed? All right. And our final uh action for this evening is a resolution

[6:09] approving amendments to the tax collection services agreement with Tiff

[6:13] County and the Tiff County Tax Commissioner. So, I'll call in our city

[6:16] manager, Bobby Bennett. Any updates we need to know about that?

[6:19] » Mayor, council, we've always paid the county and and now they're instead of us

[6:23] paying the county, we're going to pay Chad Alexander through a 1099.

[6:27] » Okay. So, it's a little bit of a housekeeping. Okay. So, it doesn't

[6:30] change what we're doing. two hours being paid out. Okay.

[6:33] » All right. Uh so I'll consider I'll offer that for your consideration for a

[6:36] motion on that resolution. >> Move to approve.

[6:38] » All right. >> Second.

[6:39] » All right. I have a motion. Second. Any further discussion?

[6:43] » All those in favor, please say I. >> I. Any opposed? All right. Now on to the

[6:47] mayor. >> Mayor item number three still needs to

[6:51] be voted on. >> Be the main street.

[6:53] » I did skip right over that. Sorry about that. I was scratching things off my

[6:57] agenda. So item number three is a resolution designating multiple Main

[7:00] Street events as festivals. Um, you know, Abby comes to us when we have a

[7:04] rock the block or we have a second Saturday and that kind of thing. So she

[7:07] wanted to go ahead and bundle several of those together so she wouldn't have to

[7:11] come for each specific event. So um, so I'll offer that for you for a motion

[7:16] concerning that resolution for those multiple Main Street events.

[7:19] » I move to approve. >> All right. Thank you. Is there a second?

[7:22] » Second. >> All right. Thank you. Is there any

[7:24] further discussion? All those in favor, please say I. I

[7:27] » I now we are finished with that agenda.

[7:32] I'm going to pass this down to you because you will need this in just a

[7:35] moment, Chief.

[7:38] And now we have our special presentation.

[7:42] And I just want to say how honored it is I am to see all of you in this room.

[7:49] This is a really special night for this community. We're gathered here tonight

[7:54] to honor true heroes among us. Men and women whose courage, speed, and

[7:59] unwavering dedication turned a day of unimaginable danger into a true story of

[8:05] survival and hope. On December the 5th, 2025, our community faced an appalling

[8:11] tragedy when Tiffan police officer Michael Gaskins and Tiffan police

[8:15] officer Jerry Fulford were ambushed in the line of duty. In that dark moment

[8:20] when chaos erupted, the absolute best of Tiffan and our surrounding agencies

[8:25] stepped forward without hesitation. Behind every life saved is a network of

[8:31] extraordinary individuals. Tonight, we will recognize the law enforcement

[8:35] officers who rush directly into harm's way to secure the scene. the first

[8:39] responders who delivered critical medical care under intense pressure and

[8:44] the emergency personnel whose swift coordination made al the ultimate

[8:48] difference because of their brave and decisive actions. Officers Gaskins and

[8:53] Fulford are with us today and our entire city owes them a debt of grat gratitude

[8:59] that we can never repay. to speak more on the bravery of these officers and to

[9:04] help lead our recognition tonight. I'm going to turn the floor over to our

[9:07] Tiffan Police Chief, Steve Hman. Steve,

[9:16] » uh, mayor, council, members, uh, honored guests, and members of our

[9:21] public safety family, before we present these awards, I wanted to briefly

[9:26] reflect on the events of December 5th. That day began as an investigation into

[9:33] an arson involving an incendiary device that had been placed beneath a residence

[9:39] in our community that was meant to harm a mother and her kids in the home. The

[9:45] investigation led the officers to a suspect living across the street. The

[9:50] officers attempted to make contact with the suspect. They were met with

[9:55] immediate gunfire. Without warning, the suspect opened fire with an AR-15,

[10:00] striking detectives Michael Gaskin and Detective Jerry Foot multiple times and

[10:07] seriously wounding both of them. What followed was a response that

[10:11] demonstrated the very best of public safety. Officers, deputies, agents,

[10:17] troopers, firefighters, and paramedics from multiple agencies came together

[10:22] during an active and dangerous situation. While gunfire continued and

[10:27] the risk was very real to each one of them, these individuals stepped forward

[10:32] without hesitation to rescue Mike and Jerry, provided medical care, and

[10:38] protected them and others from harm. The awards being presented tonight are not

[10:45] simply for doing a job. They recognize extraordinary courage, selflessness,

[10:52] uh, service, teamwork, and are willing to place the safety of others above

[10:59] their own. Tonight we honor the men and women whose

[11:05] actions saved lives, whose courage inspired all of us, and whose commitment

[11:12] to service reflects the very best of our profession and our community. It is our

[11:19] it is our department's privilege to recognize each of them this evening. And

[11:26] we'll what we'll do is we'll start off with the uh Purple Heart Award. If y'all

[11:39] uh the Purple Heart Award is awarded to an individual who suffers in the line of

[11:46] duty a wound inflicted intentionally by an armed adversary resulting in severe

[11:54] puncture wounds, lacerations, fractures, confu concussions or heart failure. At

[12:02] this time, we ask the recipants of the Purple Heart to please come forward.

[12:08] Detective Mike Gaskins.

[12:28] Did you get picture?

[12:35] Detective Jerry Fulford.

[12:56] Uh, I've asked Michael and Jerry to stay up here with me.

[13:08] U

[13:15] you know there there's a lot of

[13:19] people to be thankful for and there's a lot of

[13:24] things that happened beyond what happened that day. Uh

[13:32] and what the next thing that I want to do is

[13:36] I want to present uh

[13:42] what I call the quiet heroes award. There's

[13:48] there are two quiet heroes among us. From the first call, they ne they have

[13:53] never wavered. They have stood by Mike and Jerry every step of the way. cared

[14:00] for their families, welcomed each visit, answered every text and phone call, and

[14:06] carried the weight of being a devoted caregiver through some difficult days.

[14:12] Their strength, love, and commitment have not gone unnoticed. In their own

[14:17] way, they too answered the call. They have been the steady support, the quiet

[14:24] strength, and the foundation their family needed when it mattered the most.

[14:29] And I'd like to ask uh Cat and Ally to come up.

[14:49] » [snorts] >> step out here

[14:52] with them

[15:00] BECAUSE >> [applause]

[15:08] [applause]

[15:13] [applause]

[15:18] [applause]

[15:25] » THANK YOU.

[15:33] It's just it's just really important to have somebody to come home to after

[15:39] going through an ordeal like that. Each one of the officers that was on the

[15:44] scene uh and that responded to the scene, you

[15:50] know, we appreciate your family for standing by you and being your support,

[15:55] too. So everybody in here deserves a hand because everybody played a role in

[16:01] a very difficult uh situation. [applause]

[16:10] [applause]

[16:14] Uh next we'll do the uh medal of honor. And the Medal of Honor is presented to

[16:21] an extra for an extraordinary act in the line of duty at an inate

[16:29] danger to loss or life of an individual concerned and with full knowledge of the

[16:37] risk involved. At this time, we ask the recipants of

[16:43] the Medal of Honor to please come forward. And

[16:48] in this in all the situations where you know the Medal of Honor is presented,

[16:54] the persons earned it. But we got to thank these two, they stepped up at a

[17:00] time when gunfire was going on and they had no weapons on them, but they saw the

[17:08] need and they stepped forward and that that uh is appreciated. Uh, that'll be

[17:17] city manager Bobby Bennett.

[17:22] Or should I say Chief Bobby Bennett then?

[17:30] And uh, uh, fireman uh, Tyler Atkins.

[17:41] Thank you.

[17:50] » Thank you all. [applause]

[17:57] [applause]

[18:06] [crying] >> Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

[18:10] Okay, next we'll do the medal of valor. Medal of valor is awarded to individuals

[18:16] individual acts of herois heroism in a life-threatening situation during combat

[18:23] with an armed adversary. At this time, we'll ask the recipants of

[18:30] the Medal of Honor uh to please come forward, and that'll be uh

[18:36] Agent Scott Tally.

[18:52] Okay. and uh agent uh Matt Marchant.

[19:13] Uh, Agent Marco Jones,

[19:27] Major Chad Davis,

[19:41] Lieutenant Lee Gray,

[19:50] Deputy James Bradley,

[20:01] Deputy Justin Connley,

[20:18] Officer Lamar Boy.

[20:24] It's behind me.

[20:30] Lieutenant Chris Lucky,

[20:39] Sergeant Sydney Green,

[20:51] Officer Jerry James,

[21:13] Let's give and take. [applause]

[21:22] » [applause]

[21:27] [applause]

[21:32] » Thank you, gentlemen. Y'all made a difference. Y'all made a big difference

[21:36] stepping up and acting quick and uh acting together. Some of y'all probably

[21:43] never actually worked together, but that day it all jailed and the outcome is

[21:50] right here before us and it was amazing and it's wonderful. I

[21:55] appreciate it. Thank you. Okay. [applause]

[22:03] [applause]

[22:20] police accommodation. Uh this award is for a credible act in

[22:26] the line of duty which which meets some but not all of the requirements for

[22:32] medals. However, in unusual However, in unusual in nature, showed

[22:40] initiative and accomplishment. Uh because when the officers

[22:48] uh that moved in to move out, Mike and Jerry were doing that, there's some

[22:55] other officers that moved in to help the people that were still pinned down. And

[23:02] at this time, we'll call your name and you come forward. Uh, Deputy Taylor

[23:07] Green,

[23:14] uh, Agent Trent McKinnon.

[23:18] Okay. Uh, agent Strippling Luke

[23:25] and officers Jacob Stubs. Jacob. Okay.

[23:34] Thank you. [applause]

[23:43] [applause]

[23:50] Thank you. Appreciate.

[23:54] Okay.

[23:59] In closing, uh, I'm reminded of Isaiah 68 where the

[24:06] Lord asked, "Who whom shall I send and who who will go for us?" And Isaiah

[24:13] answered, "Here am I. Send me." The men and women here today gave that very

[24:20] answer. When two officers was down and others was trapped under automatic

[24:26] gunfire, they responded without hesitation. Here am I. Send me. Today we

[24:33] honor those who answered the call and thank them for their bravery, their

[24:39] selflessness, and their unwavering commitment to protecting others. To

[24:45] everyone who showed up at the scene, call, send a text, stop by to check on

[24:52] our officers, or simply said a prayer. Thank you. Several of our officers and

[24:58] other first responders went through a very difficult situation that day. And

[25:03] the support shown to all of them has meant more than you know. the the calls,

[25:09] the texts, the visits, the prayers, and the words of encouragement

[25:15] were greatly appreciated. Again, thank you for checking on our officers, their

[25:21] families, and everyone who has affected who was affected by what happened that

[25:26] day. The support means a lot to all of us, and we appreciate y'all. Thank you.

[25:34] [applause]

[25:43] » [applause]

[25:49] » Also, uh after the meeting is through on the second floor, we do have

[25:56] refreshments, some drinks, orders. Uh Jessica, Andrea, Caroline,

[26:04] and Evelyn them got together and they've done a real good job. I got out their

[26:10] way. That's why it was successful. So, but I appreciate everybody for

[26:16] coming and I appreciate the support that uh we've had during this. Uh Sheriff,

[26:24] did you have anything or >> I just want to say it's an honor to be

[26:28] around

[26:31] heroes

[26:41] together.

[26:46] » Yes.

[26:55] » Thank opportunity. [applause]

[27:12] If you'd like to start and uh and then we'll move down the line.

[27:15] » Um I'd just like to say thank you to uh to all of our uh

[27:22] public service officers um who were there that day. um and who continue to

[27:27] be there every day um to protect our community. Um just thank you from the

[27:32] bottom of my heart. >> Lester,

[27:35] » uh definitely I want to thank each and every one of you. Uh my father my father

[27:40] was a policeman and it's very emotional because um I watch my father um leave in

[27:47] the mornings and sometimes wondering if he was going to come home, if anything

[27:51] was going to happen to him. So I just want to commend each and every one of

[27:56] to thank you for helping these two come home to their wives and kids because I

[28:02] remember thinking a couple of times episodes were happening and uh back in

[28:07] the day and I was wondering my father was going to come home and again thank

[28:11] each and every one of you. >> Thank you Josh.

[28:15] » I just want to thank all of you guys. I mean I can't imagine what you went

[28:18] through that day and pray that you showed I think Sheriff said it right.

[28:22] You guys are true heroes. We're very thankful everyone here today. Thank you.

[28:28] » Amen. Let's go celebrate. >> Yeah,

[28:30] » let's go celebrate. So, we are adjourned. We'll see you over at the

[28:32] Mayan uh next door. Thank you.

8-17-26 Council Meeting and Special Presentation

Transcript