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When the Optimists Club Officer of the Year award was created in 1965 by Optimist International as part of their Respect for Law program, the award was strictly for law enforcement. 

The local club gave the award to deserving police officers and sheriff’s deputies through their Respect for Law program, which was inspired at the time by a meeting with J. Edgar Hoover and the president of Optimist International.

After the tragic events of September 11, the club added an award for firefighters to the annual recognition for their service.

Each year the LaGrange Optimist Club works with the police and fire chiefs to recognize a department member for the service going above and beyond the line of duty. It’s one of the highlights of the year for the club, said Hill Daniel, Vice President of the LaGrange Optimist Club.

This year’s LaGrange Firefighter of the Year is Jordan Morrison.

Before beginning his firefighting career in Columbus, Georgia, Morrison served four years in the U.S. Marine Corps. 

While in Columbus, Morrison made it a point to better himself, his peers, and his unit by completing and obtaining numerous certifications.

Morrison joined the LaGrange Fire Department in 2021 and continued with the same dedication.  He serves the people of LaGrange every day by utilizing his vast experience and skills and improves those that he works with and the fire department as a whole. 

“Firefighter Jordan Morrison, the LaGrange Fire Department is better off for having someone like you within its ranks and the city is lucky to have you looking over it,” Daniel said.

“Jordan is just like all the men and women that work for the LaGrange Fire Department. He is dedicated to serving the citizens and serving the department,” LaGrange Fire Chief Willie Bradfield said.

“When he came to us from Columbus, we knew we were getting a good [firefighter] and he has continued to improve himself,” Bradfield said.

Cpl. Wesley Engle was also named Officer of the Year during the ceremony on Tuesday. Engle was highlighted during the weekend edition of the Daily News. The annual Optimists Sheriff’s Deputy and Troup County Firefighter of the Year awards are expected at a later date.