Bessemer Chamber of Commerce honors businesses, first responders at 100th anniversary celebration

The Bessemer Area Chamber of Commerce honored several businesses at a celebration of the city's 100th Anniversary Celebration on Thursday, April 21. 

At the celebration the Bessemer Business Awards and First Responders’ Gala was held in which local business owners and first responders were recognized with awards for their efforts. 

See below for a list of recipients and comments from the chamber of commerce:  

2022 Business of the Year - Chambers Funeral Home

"The Chambers Funeral Home spirit of excellence in professional, dignified and personal funeral service began over 87 years ago fueled by our founding visionaries Laura Mae Chambers and her son, Augustus C. Chambers, Sr. That legacy is currently being continued by a fourth generation of leaders, President A. C. Chambers, III, and Vice President, Bryonda A. Collins. Together, they lead Chambers Funeral Home through an unprecedented and unmatched commitment to the community, taking pride in serving families during the loss of a loved one.

With the highest of standards, compassion, and attention to detail in every area, Chambers Funeral Home ensures services are both dignified and memorable. Spanning five generations of service, Chambers Funeral Home remains current with the latest advancements in funeral service technologies and industry trends through the continued education and training of staff and team building.

Chambers Funeral Home has been a staple in Bessemer, an honor they don’t take for granted as evidenced by their continued participation in civic organizations, area partnerships, and community outreach through the newly established Mabel L. Chambers Endowment. Experience, professionalism, kindness and empathy is what sets Chambers Funeral Home apart from others. At Chambers Funeral Home, Our Service is The Difference!"

2022 Doctor of the Year – Dr. Michael Burch

"Dr. Michael Burch has been with Medical West Hospital as a board-certified Internal Medicine Hospitalist since 2013. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville and his medical degree from The University of Tennessee Health Science Center. Dr. Burch completed his internship, residency, and fellowship at The University of Alabama at Birmingham.

He is board-certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine and is a member of the American College of Physicians. Since 2013, Dr. Burch has been an integral part of the Medical West family of physicians. Dr. Burch serves on Medical West’s Medical Executive Committee and is the Medical Director for Plantation Manor Nursing Home, Hospice Services of Alabama, and Self Health Care & Rehabilitation.

Dr. Burch is extremely dedicated to the city of Bessemer and has played a vital role in Medical West’s inpatient care during the COVID-19 pandemic. Medical West is honored to have Dr. Burch as part of their family and is thrilled to congratulate him for being chosen as the Bessemer Chamber’s 2022 Doctor of the Year."

2021 Deputy Sheriff of the Year – Deputy Detective Jason Deramus

"Deputy Detective Jason DeRamus was born in Birmingham, Alabama. He grew up in the East Lake community where he attended Huffman High School. Go Mighty Vikings! Deputy DeRamus graduated in 2002 and continued his education at Berea College in Berea, Kentucky. He graduated in 2006, earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Technology and Industrial Arts. In 2007, Deputy DeRamus started his career with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office where he has served for the past 15 years. Within those years he has served the community in several different assignments, beginning with the Corrections Division.

Deputy DeRamus has always felt as if life events have prepared him for his current position of helping people when they’re feeling a little hopeless. While assigned to the Bessemer Criminal Division, Deputy DeRamus takes pride in devoting 100% daily to find the answers to problems victims are facing. During his short time in this very demanding division, Deputy DeRamus has led successful investigations on several felony cases such as thefts, rapes, robberies, attempted murder, and murder cases including two cold case homicides. When he is not serving the citizens of Jefferson County, Detective DeRamus enjoys hiking, eating (foodie), traveling, and spending time with his family and friends."

2021 Law Enforcement Officer of the Year – Jonathon Lee Brady

"On December 2, 2021 Officers Jonathan Brady and Spence Maples were dispatched to a person causing a disturbance at 3512 8th Avenue N, Bessemer. Officers arrived on scene and made contact with Teresa Scott. As officers approached Ms. Scott, she shouted out expletives and state, “get off of my property”.

Ms. Scott was not complying with the officers. Officer Maples left Ms. Scott’s property to talk with her neighbor next door who is also the person who had called for police. Officer Brady took a position along the side of her residence to stop Ms. Scott once she had exited the apartment. As Ms. Scott exited the apartment, she was armed with a cutlery knife. Officer Brady was unaware she had gotten a knife and therefore he was not on guard.

Ms. Scott without a word became aggressive stabbing Officer Brady two times in the temple (head) area and one time in the back shoulder area. Officer Brady also suffered other minor injuries due to the assault. Officer Brady turned and wrestled Ms. Scott to the ground choosing not to use lethal force. Both Brady and Ms. Scott wrestled for the knife even as Officer Brady was bleeding heavily from the head and back areas.

Officer Maples observed the struggle and was able to come to assist Officer Brady in disarming Ms. Scott. Officer Brady was then able to crawl away to radio for help. Additional officers arrived on scene. Ms. Scott was taken into custody without harm. Officer Brady’s actions are commendable although wounded and disoriented he made a decision to not take a life but chose to use other means to disarm Ms. Scott without causing hard to her or anyone else on the scene.

Officer Brady is an exemplary officer. Officer Brady has been employed with the Bessemer Police Department since 2018. Officer Brady is married to Mariela Brady and is the father to four children. Officer Brady along with his wife resides in McCalla, Alabama. Officer Brady has maturity beyond his years and is a consummate professional."

2021 Firefighter of the Year – Captain Stephen Parker

"Captain Stephen Parker has diligently served with the City of Bessemer Fire Department for 26 years. He graduated from McAdory High School in 1989 and continued his education at Shelton State Community College from 1991-1992 and Bevill State Community College from 1996-1997 earning a National Registered Paramedic License in 1997. As a citizen of the City of Bessemer himself, he is passionately driven to promote medical health awareness and rights awareness advocating public safety.

This passion was best demonstrated during the 2019 -2020 COVID-19 Pandemic. Captain Parker worked around the clock researching and keeping close watch on the pandemic’s statistics to ensure the Fire Department was prepared and stayed as far ahead as possible to meet the challenges of continuing to provide aid to the public in a secure manner.

He risked exposure himself to monitor on the health and safety of his fellow firefighters and colleagues so they could maintain staffing and efficiency throughout the duration of pandemic. Recently promoted to Captain of the EMS Division, Captain Stephen Parker continues to foster the needs of others before his own being vigilant of opportunities to educate and advocate for his colleagues and beloved hometown."

2022 Ambulance EMS of the Year – TaQuira Carter

"TaQuira Carter is an advanced EMT at Shoals Ambulance. TaQuira achieved her EMT through the Alabama Fire College and received her bachelor’s degree at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

TaQuira plans on continuing her education in seeking her paramedic license in the fall with an end goal of becoming a trauma surgeon. TaQuira decided to join EMS to prepare her on working toward her end goal by developing skills and gaining opportunities to fully utilize her training and expertise while making a significant contribution to the success and growth of society. Taquira’s untiring desire to help people in times of need whether in emergency situations or transporting a patient to see their doctor earned her this nomination. She is compassionate and caring and a really hard worker."