Tommy Daniels works full-time as a Longview Fire Department firefighter and a paramedic for the Longview Special Weapons and Tactics team. In his spare time, he volunteers as a reserve deputy with the Gregg County Sheriff's Office.

Officials with the sheriff's office selected Daniels as the 2008 Reserve Deputy of the Year, and he and other Gregg County law enforcement award winners got praise at the Longview Centurion Club's Giants of Law Enforcement Awards Banquet on Tuesday. About 500 people, including law enforcement officers and several city leaders from within Gregg County, attended the banquet at the Maude Cobb Convention and Activity Center, according to organizer estimates.

"I grew up around (public service)," Daniels said after the ceremony.

He began his work with the sheriff's office in 2001, and he volunteered about 330 hours as a reserve deputy in 2008.

"We're proud to have him," said Gregg County Sheriff Maxey Cerliano, adding that reserve deputies volunteered more than 6,000 hours of service to the county in 2008.

All nominees for the 24 awards received a certificate honoring their hard work, and all law enforcement award winners received a special handgun their agencies selected.

Cerliano said the annual event was a great opportunity for all local law enforcement agencies to gather and dine together, and the awards honor the efforts of the best of each agency. Fellow officers suggest the nominees for the awards each year, and Cerliano said a committee of former recipients selects the award winners for the sheriff's office.

Longview Police Chief J.B. McCaleb said the banquet provides deserved recognition to all law enforcement officials.

"These awards are not to be taken lightly," Cerliano said.

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— Civilian of the Year: Kelly Loughney

— Reserve Officer of the Year: Wayne Krc

— Rookie of the Year: Danny Stroud

— Detective of the Year: Doug Brinkley

— Officer of the Year: Debra Stiles

— Supervisor of the Year: David Hazel

— Telecommunications Operator of the Year: Shona Cates

— Telecommunications Supervisor of the Year: Casey Lawson

— Civilian of the Year: Meagan Bybee

— Detention Officer of the Year: Lisa Slover

— Reserve Deputy of the Year: Tommy Daniels

— Deputy Sheriff of the Year: Ron England

— Supervisor of the Year: Tim Huckaby

— Exemplary Officer of the Year: Christina McGee

— Officer of the Year: Shane Guthrie

— Supervisor of the Year: Roman Roberson

— Civilian Employee of the Year: Josie Atchley

— Investigator of the Year: David Falco

— Officer of the Year: Carolyn McClish

— Officer of the Year: Terry Johnson

— Officer of the Year: Stuart Johnson

— Officer of the Year: Chris Vaughn

— Gregg County Trooper of the Year: Jacob Muehlstein