| Telecommunicator & Technician of the Year | Maurice Courtright Award | 
| Honorary Chapter Members | Weldon Joe Blair Award | International Past Presidents | 
| Life Members of APCO International | APCO International Senior Members | 
| Radio Club of America |

Telecommunicator of the Year and Technician of the Year Awards

There are four categories to recognize public safety communications personnel who have demonstrated the highest levels of personal and professional conduct and performance in the line of duty.

The four awards are in the following categories:

Telecommunicator of the Year for Sustained Superior Performance- This award recognized the Telecommunicator who has maintained work performance far beyond what is normally required during the year. Download application now (available in Microsoft Word format).

Technician of the Year for Sustained Superior Performance- This award recognizes Technicians in all technological aspects of the communications center, including but not limited to radio, computers, phones, etc., who has maintained work performance far beyond what is normally expected or required during the year, or he/she has taken extreme measures to install or restore communications under adverse conditions. Download application now (available in Microsoft Word format).

Telecommunicator of the Year for Exemplary Handling of a Critical Situation- This award recognizes the Telecommunicator who handled a critical incident in an exemplary manner that positively affected its outcome. Download application now (available in Microsoft Word format).

Telecommunicator of the Year Team Award- This award recognizes the emergency communication team that handled an unforeseen or unusually challenging situation causing each nominee to handle additional responsibilities in addition to their regularly assigned duties. Nominees used uncommon methods to problem solve, teamwork to create a solution, and together were instrumental in making a difference in the outcome of the event. Download application now (available in Microsoft Word format).

Award winners will be recognized at the Awards Banquet in Wenatchee during the Washington State Chapter of APCO's Summer Conference.

Questions about the process? Please call (509)575-6058 and ask for Brenda Cantu. The nomination period closed February 29, 2008.

Award Recipients>>  

Telecommunicator of the Year
Sustained Performance

Telecommunicator of the Year
Critical Incident

Technician of the Year

Team Award

2007 Telecommunicator of the Year 
Award Recipients & Summer Conference Pictures

Maurice Courtright Award

Maurice Courtright
The Man

Maury Courtright was an instructor in electronics at Central Washington University when he was tapped to become the radio engineer for the Washington State Department of Transportation. He joined the NW Chapter of APCO at about the same time the “73 gasoline shortages hit the nation, and Oregon split to form their own chapter, taking nearly 40% of the membership. 

Those who knew Maury quickly understood that (in addition to family), he had two passions. One was electronics and communications and the other was flying his airplane. His position as radio engineer for Washington DOT was a perfect meld of his two passions: A reason to fly statewide in the performance of his duties, and a department that permitted the use of private aircraft while reimbursing for mileage.

Maury quickly made friends within the APCO family and added a third passion: The NW Chapter of APCO.

The shortage of fuel for cars did not affect aircraft as much, and there were no "lines" for aircraft to "gas up". When APCO membership and meeting attendance began to wane due to the travel difficulties, Maury took personal action. As Maury scheduled his work trips, he always tried to include side trips to the local agencies to promote APCO and offer his services. In fact, many times when he traveled to a chapter meeting, he would stop along with way and pick up members that would otherwise forgo the meeting due to scarce gasoline supplies. Using his airplane for long trips or his DOT car for shorter trips or when  inclement weather prevented safe flying, Maury became an unofficial ambassador for the NW Chapter of APCO. His easy smile and unabashed interest in his companions and their interests enabled Maury to draw members to the APCO meetings and take on chapter activities.  

A conversation with Maury was an open invitation to join him in a journey to become his friend. A friend you can rely upon and trust. A friend who encourages you to excel in all things and to become a better person.

In a conversation with Maury's supervisor, I learned that it was late at night but with good visual flight conditions that the accident happened. Maury and his friend, a trooper with the WSP, were returning to Olympia from a personal trip to California. It had been a long trip and it is speculated that both pilot and passenger were extremely fatigued. It is not known who had been at the controls at the time the plane crashed just south of the Chehalis River, but both individuals perished.

The WSP lost a good trooper and the WSDOT lost a good engineer. The loss set back WSDOT communications progress by seven years and NW APCO lost their volunteer ambassador.

Maurice Courtright
Award Recipients

 Kurt Hardin - 2006

Peggy Fouts - 2004

Cory Ahrens - 1999

Washington State Chapter
Honorary Members

During 24 years with State Patrol and over 3 years as a 9-1-1 Director, enjoyed instructor staff positions at Washington State Patrol Academy and Criminal Justice Training Commission and managing Telecommunications Centers.

Weldon Joe Blair Award

Chris Fischer - 2004

Jimmie Hocutt - 2000

International Past Presidents

Richard Quantz - August 1965-August 1966
Ross Morris - August 1995 - August 1996

Life Members of APCO International

Kevin Kearns - iXP Corporation
Chris Fischer - Valley Communications
Alan Hull - Washington DOT
Phyllis Hull - Port of Seattle
Ross Morris - Washington DOT

Walk of Fame

Below if a picture of the brick installed on the APCO Walk of Heroes for the Washington Chapter. If you are ever in the Daytona Beach area, we hope that you will stop by for a stroll on the pathway.

APCO International Senior Members

Chris Fischer - Valley Communications

Radio Club of America

Buller has worked in the radio industry since 1948. He joined Tacoma Power in 2000 after retiring from the Washington State Patrol. He also worked for Utah State University, Utah Power & Light Company and Rockwell International. "Pat Buller has made significant contributions to the radio industry and to Tacoma Power," said Steve Klein, Tacoma Power superintendent. "He has an extraordinary depth and breadth of knowledge that he uses for practical applications to improve day-to-day utility operations. All of us at Tacoma Power congratulate Pat on this award."