Police officers, firefighters and paramedics gathered at Michael's Eighth Avenue in Glen Burnie Monday night to celebrate the unsung heroes in public safety with a banquet designed to recognize those who go above and beyond the call of duty.

Baltimore Police Commissioner Frederick H. Bealefeld III, who was the featured speaker for the event hosted by the 100 Club of Anne Arundel Couty, said he was honored to have been invited from the city.

"Our service is not possible without the support from folks like the 100 Club," he said. "We all need to accept responsibility to do our part for ourselves and our neighbors. It will make each community stronger and richer."

Visibly moved, Bealefeld added, "don't forget your cops. These men and women are here to serve you and they are willing to back up the quality of their work with their lives."

The mission of the 100 Club is to provide supplemental benefits to the families of firefighters, law enforcement officers and emergency medical service personnel, both paid and volunteer, who lose their lives in the line of duty to Anne Arundel County.

The Anne Arundel County 100 Club will continue to support those who risk their lives to keep our communities safe. "Money from insurance companies can often take days or weeks," said 100 Club Vice President Charlie Parks, who organized the banquet. "We are there instantly, finding out what the family needs and helping them right away."

This year's Al Brandt Unsung Hero Award went to Howard Chatterton of the Anne Arundel County Fire Department (AACFD) for his outstanding efforts serving the community on a daily basis.

"It was extremely difficult to choose just one," said Richard Hanna, a lifetime 100 Club member who sits on the board that chooses the Al Brandt Award. Al Brandt founded the organization in April of 2000.

The award was presented by the late Al Brandt's wife, Marilyn Brandt, who still works tirelessly to ensure her husband's organization thrives and his passion lives on.

Founders and members of the 100 Club support public safety officials who choose to continue their education by awarding the Duke G. Aaron Scholarship award. This year, the $3500 award was given to Sgt. Timothy J. Davis of the Anne Arundel County Police Department (AACPD) and Paramedic/Firefighter Ian Bussey of the Anne Arundel County Fire Department (AACFD).

Organizers and attendees of the banquet honored former Governor and honoraray 100 Club member William Donald Schaefer, who died last week. Cookie Kiser, a who is very involved with the club, spoke of Schaefer as a friend and recalled how people would come just to hear him talk.

Supervisors who believe they have an unsung hero in their midst write a letter of recommendation to the 100 Club and a special committee decides who will win the Al Brandt Unsung Hero Award. In addition to Chatterton, this year's nominees included:

• Detective William Berry of the Maryland Transportation Authority Police
• Tfc. Timothy Swigert of the Maryland State Police
• Sgt. Timothy J. Davis of the AACPD
• Auxiliary Police Officer Ronald Shriner of the Annapolis Police Department
• Volunteer Kathy Gies of the AACFD
• Sgt. Christopher Rhodes of the Anne Arundel County Sheriff's Department
• Cpl. William Davis of the AACPD
• Administrative Office Associate Jeanne Coughlin of the Annapolis Fire Department
• Officer 1st Class David Leithren of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources
• Firefighter/Paramedic Ian Bussey of the AACFD

For more information, please visit aa100club.org or find them on Facebook.