Sgt. Tunya Brown was named the Public Safety Person of the Year during Tuesday’s ceremony.

“This year’s honoree is a true American hero and patriot in every sense of the word, both in spirit and in action,” said Eric Blackman, Chamber board chairman. “Her entire life has been devoted to serving others and giving back to her community. Whether through her service to underprivileged and at-risk youth, her service to her community as a law enforcement professional or service to her country as a sergeant in the Alabama National Guard, this servant leader has made a difference in the lives of her fellow citizens for more than 20 years.

Brown recently returned from an overseas deployment.

“Even while deployed, her servant leadership was recognized by her commanding officers, and she has been selected to attend the new Warrior Leadership Training Course at Guantanamo Bay that will lead to her further promotion while serving our country,” Blackman said. “As her chief stated, ‘Tunya serves not out of obligation — she serves because she wants to.’”

The Public Safety Person of the Year is presented to the public safety professional who has performed his or her duty with exceptional skill, expertise, innovation and results.