Five Oklahoma first responders recognized, awarded for their service

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) - The state honored five Oklahoma first responders Wednesday morning for showing the highest standard of public service to their communities. Those announcements were made as part of the Oklahoma Awards Program.

It was standing room only in the state capitol blue room with several family members, co-workers and friends there to honor them for their sacrifice, bravery and courage.

"We are fortunate to have the men and women that choose a life of service,” State Secretary of Public Safety & Chief Advisor Tricia Everest said.

The Oklahoma Distinguished Meritorious Service Medal, Medal of Valor, Blue Heart and Red Heart were given out. Families of those like Sgt. Robert Blaine “Bobby” Swartz accepted them on their behalf. He got the medal of valor and blue heart after being shot and killed while serving eviction paperwork alongside Deputy Mark Johns in 2022.

"They paid the ultimate sacrifice,” Oklahoma County Sheriff Tommie Johnson III said. “They laid down their life."

Johns survived and received the same awards Wednesday. Johnson described his courage for trying to save Swartz that day.

"You're getting hit with bullets, and the only thing you're thinking of is someone else,” Johnson said. “That's huge."

Families of both Waynoka Firefighter Tayler Bradford and Chief Lonnie Bolar also accepted Red Hearts after they both died while trying to save two people from a fire back in 2021.

"My accomplishments that I was recognized, not to lessen them, are nothing compared to what they they paid,” Ratliff City Police Chief Robert Thornton said.

Thornton established a rural agency that responds with fire, medical and emergency management agencies that help rural Oklahomans. He said he was humbled and honored for his recognition, which was receiving the Distinguished Meritorious Service Medal. However, he still credited those around him for that work and put his team before himself.

“They're the ones that really deserve this,” he said. “I just happened to be the figurehead."