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Sarah Dallof reportingThe city of Ogden has reason to boast tonight: the nation's top firefighter and the state's top police officer are both from the city. Tonight they were honored. One was there to receive the award, the other was given posthumously.
It took hours of work, both paid and volunteer, for firefighter Kent Anderson and the family of Officer Jason Thomas to earn this recognition, but that's not why they did it.
National Firefighter of the Year, Kent Anderson, said, "It's been a good ride, I've enjoyed it."
Kent Anderson was recognized by Veterans of Foreign Wars as the state and national firefighter of the year. He has worked for 17 years, taking time to volunteer at schools.
Those close to Kent say he's calm under pressure and notices details others may miss. Kent won't cop to it; he's mostly embarrassed by the attention.
"It's a team deal. It's not one guy, it's the department; we all work together," Anderson said.
Then there's Jason Thomas, the state's police officer of the year. His award was accepted tonight by those who love and miss him. Thomas died this past September of skin cancer.
His friend, detective Dan Oberg, said, "I think Jason brought an issue to the eyes of many people, to understand what cancer is about and how to prevent it."
While Thomas fought his disease, he also worked with cancer patients, encouraging them, reminding them to enjoy life. Thomas, also a military veteran, left behind a wife and three children and a legacy at the police department.
Detective Oberg said, "I don't think a day goes by where nobody doesn't think about him, talk about him."
Both men were selected from a pool of hundreds from every state in the country. Their awards were presented by Vietnam veteran and former police officer Wesley Smock.
"It's an honor, because police officers and firefighters are out there risking their lives every day," Smock said.
Kent Anderson and the family of Jason Thomas also will meet later this month with Gov. Jon Huntsman, Jr.
