Heroism Recognized at Annual Mee Awards

The crew of Sacramento Fire Department's Truck17 & Medic 17 and a local police officer were honored for acts of bravery

April 6, 2023

The six-person crew of Sacramento Fire Department’s Truck 17 and Medic 17 and Sacramento Police Department’s Officer Paul Bandy received awards today at a luncheon in their honor for acts of heroism. The Sally and Hubert Mee Fund at the Foundation will provide the philanthropic support for these awards.

The crew of Sacramento Fire Department’s Truck 17 and Medic 17 were honored for their collective action during a house fire in January 2022. With heavy fire and smoke, Firefighters Kevin Brown, Ian Myers, Ryan Real, and James Ward, along with Captain Ryan Tweltridge and Engineer Darren Hastings forced the front door open and began a search. Without the protection of a hose line, the crew rescued three trapped victims.

Sacramento Police Officer Paul Bandy was honored today for his quick thinking and bravery when he and his wife Aimee Johns, a nurse, helped rescue a swimmer who had suffered a shark attack at Lovers Point Beach in Monterey Bay. Paul and Aimee, who were paddleboarding on vacation celebrating their anniversary, provided first aid to help control the blood loss from the significant injuries, until local first responders arrived at the scene.

Wednesday’s event celebrated the 28th anniversary of the Mee Awards, honoring the meritorious acts of local police and fire officials. Each honoree received a grant from the Sally & Hubert Mee Fund at the Foundation for their act of bravery. Annually, the selection committee accepts nominations of local fire and police officers, looking for individuals who display great acts of heroism in our community.  

Heroism holds great important in the Mee family. As a young man, Hubert Mee worked as a lifeguard and During World War II, he swam a wounded fellow seaman to safety during the sinking of the USS Quincy at Guadalcanal. “His experience as a hero, and seeing other acts of heroism, gave my dad a lifelong appreciation for actions that save lives,” said his daughter, Nancy Mee.

The awards program is made possible through the Sally and Hubert Mee Fund, which the Mees established in 1994 at the Foundation. The endowment for the Fund ensures the awards will continue in perpetuity; so long as there are extraordinary acts of bravery, there will be Mee Awards to recognize them.

The Mee Awards is just one example of how community members can make an impact on the lives of individuals through a philanthropic contribution at the Foundation. From scholarships, to nonprofit grants, to endowments in memory of loved ones, philanthropic members in the four-county region can help build a thriving and resilient region where generosity and collaboration create equitable opportunity.