The New Braunfels Noon Lions Club held a luncheon Aug. 17 for the Sheriff James Robert Holder First Responder Awards which recognized three local first responders from the New Braunfels Police Department, the New Braunfels Fire Department and the Comal County Sheriff’s Office.

The New Braunfels Noon Lions Club is a branch of the Lions Club, which is an organization that aims to “lead by example,” and its members do volunteer and philanthropic work in local communities.

The details

Lion Ron Zipp presented the awards for the August Hampe Police Officer of the Year; Ernest Alves, Jr. Firefighter of the Year; and Ed Murphy Memorial Deputy of the Year to the following first responders:
  • Officer Emily Mann of the New Braunfels Police Department
  • Firefighter Randy Diaz of the New Braunfels Fire Department
  • Deputy Simon Aquino of the Comal County Sheriff’s Office
Mann has been with the NBPD for a decade and is part of the U.S. Marshals Lone Star Fugitive Task Force. She has received numerous awards during her time in the department, including a Life Saving Award and Letter of Recognition for Superior Performance from Supervisor Deputy U.S. Marshall Eduardo Sanchez, Jr.

Diaz has been with the department for nearly two decades and works in the department's training division. Diaz was selected for this award and has been nominated for the Medal of Valor Award after he rescued an unconscious driver from a burning car while off duty. He is also a member of the New Braunfels Firefighters Pipes & Drums Program.


Aquino has been with the sheriff's office for a decade and made 52 driving while intoxicated arrests in 2022. He is also a Drug Abuse Resistance Education counselor in Comal ISD.

The New Braunfels Noon Lions Club made a $500 donation in each recipient’s name to the 100 Club of Comal County, a nonprofit organization that provides aid to fallen members of law enforcement, fire, emergency services and other first responders within Comal County.