Dublin firefighter, LCSO deputies honored by Dublin Exchange Club

The Dublin Exchange Club honored two deputies who chased a man who shot at one of them only to render aid to him when he crashed, and a firefighter who saved a person from cardiac arrest this year.

The club named Laurens County Sheriff Department Sgt. Nick Bush and Deputy Shawn Morningstar, its law enforcement officer of the year, while Dublin Fire Sgt. Jamie Juarez was selected as the firefighter of the year at the 2026 Exchange Club Law Enforcement and Firefighter of the Year meeting on Oct. 27.

“It is good to be able to recognize people in the community who have done the work that we have heard about and have prayed about,” said Matthew Bradshaw, who co-chairs the club’s firefighter and law enforcement officers of the year with Tommy Bobbitt. “Every year we seek nominations from all of the law enforcements and fire departments in Dublin and Laurens County.” 

When it came to law enforcement officer of the year, the club named Bush and Morningstar. Bradshaw read the nomination letter written by Laurens County Sheriff Larry Dean.

On March 6, 2026, Morningstar and Bush were involved in a high-speed pursuit that entered Laurens County from Twiggs County.

“The suspect was traveling at speeds near 120 mph, driving recklessly, blacking out the vehicle’s lights, and eventually fired multiple rounds from the vehicle during the pursuit,” Bradshaw read from what Dean wrote. “Sgt. Bush attempted a PIT (Precision Immobilization Technique) maneuver and was later struck by gunfire to his patrol vehicle while trying to get back into position.” 

Buch and Morningstar remained in the pursuit and continued assisting until the suspect crashed in Treutlen County.

“After the crash, both immediately shifted from apprehension to helping the people involved,” Bradshaw said. “The driver had suffered severe injuries, including traumatic amputations to both legs, and deputies applied tourniquets and controlled the bleeding until EMS arrived. This transition to helping someone who had just attempted to kill them showed their true loyalty to the preservation of life. This was an extremely dangerous incident from start to finish, and both officers showed good judgment, courage and professionalism throughout it.” 

Parts of the chase were shown while LCSO Lt. Mitch Edge described what was happening. 

Bradshaw read about Juarez, from a nomination written by Dublin Fire Chief Matthew Cutler. Juarez and his wife Shannon have three children. 

Juarez began his tenure with the city of Dublin Street Department on June 1, 2007. He liked his job but felt the “burning desire” to help people in their time of need, transferring to the DFD on June 26, 2009. He became a certified firefighter on Nov. 14, 2009 and obtained firefighter 2 on May 15, 2010.

Juarez also became an EMT in 2012, a paramedic in 2016 and an EMS instructor in 2019. 

“Juarez is a leader in our department,” Cutler said. “Juarez has a natural drive to learn, excel and be the best he can be in whatever he does.” 

He was promoted to sergeant on Jan. 6, 2023, and obtained fire officer 1 certification on Sept. 15, 2023. Juarez helped establish the Field Training Officer program for all new hires to help them better understand their job and how to perform professionally, a program that continues to be successful.

“One of Jamie’s greatest attributes is his drive to train others and make them better,” Bradshaw said. “He spends countless hours training the next generation of firefighters in Dublin and Laurens County many times for free. He is always willing to use his many talents to help around the station and in the fire service.”

On May 2, 2026, Juarez and his partner responded to a house on Emory Lane for a cardiac arrest.

“Due to the lifesaving measures taken by paramedic Juarez and his partner, the patient survived,” Bradshaw said. “If you are in need of help, Jamie is the kind of person and firefighter you want coming to your aid.” 

Dublin Exchange Club President Craig West thanked the nominees for the jobs they have done and will continue to do in the community.

“We thank you for what you do for us each and every day,” West said.