First Responder of the Year Award
Building on 24/7 Day (July 24), The NACS Foundation First Responder of the Year Award recognizes outstanding first responders —including a new K9 Award for 2026—whose courage and dedication rise above in moments of need. Honorees are celebrated on 24/7 Day with national and local recognition and a special award package designed to show our appreciation. They will also receive:
- Free gas for a year (up to $2,500 value), compliments of media partner GSTV, and a $500 gift card from InComm Payments
- Special recognition and celebration on 24/7 Day from their hometown convenience store
- A trip to the 2026 NACS Show in Las Vegas where they will be recognized on stage in a special ceremony
- Donations to their local station or volunteer first responder teams
- Gift baskets filled with their favorite convenience store treats, snacks and beverages
Meet the 2026 Honorees
First Responder of the Year
Karen Shepherd
EMT-B | Pattonsburg Volunteer Fire & Rescue Protection District | Pattonsburg, Missouri
For over 26 years, Karen Shepherd has served as a volunteer first responder in rural Missouri, answering more than 4,000 emergency calls. Nominated by The Gas Spot, Karen is respected in her community for her calm leadership, compassion, and readiness to help anyone in need. Her entry centered on her quick response to a serious ATV accident involving the sons of a Gas Spot team member, stabilizing one child until he could be airlifted to a pediatric trauma center. Both siblings survived the accident.
Karen’s nomination reflects not only this lifesaving action, but a lifetime of service and impact in her community. In addition to her role with the Fire & Rescue Protection District she is also the City Clerk. In putting together Karen’s nomination, the Gas Spot team received a line of members of the community for more than 10 hours straight – all attesting to the incredible impact Karen has had both in times of emergency, as well as in the daily life of the town.
Runner-Up
Ryan Sheridan & K-9 Dembe
Sergeant | Albemarle County Police Department | Charlottesville, Virginia
Throughout 2025, Sgt. Ryan Sheridan and his K-9 partner Dembe demonstrated extraordinary dedication and professionalism, contributing to several high-profile arrests and consistently supporting critical operations across Albemarle County, Virginia. In 2025, Sergeant Sheridan responded to an amazing 373 calls for service—many involving urgent support to patrol units—and regularly made himself available for callouts, often stepping in without being asked. His reliability and willingness to assist his fellow officers have made him an indispensable part of both his force and in the community.
Runner-Up
Carl Nielsen
Fire Chief | Fremont Rural Fire Department | Fremont, Nebraska
As head of incident command for the Horizon Biofuels explosion of July 2025, Carl’s around-the-clock response drew on his decades of service as a volunteer firefighter, as well as his full-time job with Sapp Bros. Coordinating the response and collective efforts of multiple agencies across police, fire, emergency management and local and federal leadership to combat the initial incident, as well as the aftermath which lasted for weeks. Carl lead his teams by example and demonstrated an exceptional effort to protect his community and minimize loss of life and property.
2025 Honorees
Charles Biery, American Red Cross Volunteer in Newport, KY
Angela Ryan, Volunteer Firefighter & Casey’s Team Member in Marshall, IN
Kevin Umscheid, Volunteer Fire Chief & Full-Time Fuel Driver at Dara’s Corner Market in Wamego/St. George, KS
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible to be nominated?
Any first responder in the United States includes firefighters, EMS personnel, police officers, 911 dispatchers, nurses, and Red Cross volunteers. Nominees should have demonstrated extraordinary service to their community during a crisis.
Who can submit a nomination?
Anyone—retailers, coworkers, community members, or family and friends. You do not need to work in the convenience industry to nominate someone.
What are the judging criteria?
Nominees will be evaluated on:
- Impact – How did their actions make a meaningful difference?
- Courage – Did they go above and beyond the call of duty?
- Community Service – How did they support the people they serve, especially in challenging moments?
- Alignment with 24/7 Day values – Dedication, reliability, and service to others
Who selects the winners?
A committee of industry representatives, NACS Foundation staff, and community partners will review all submissions and select the honorees.
What do the winners receive?
Bonus Prize: Free Gas for a Year
Thanks to our partner GSTV, the top one First Responder of the Year Award winner will receive free gas for one year (up to $2,500 value) as part of their recognition package.
The top three First Responder of the Year Award recipients will each receive:
- National and Local Recognition
Honored on 24/7 Day (July 24) through our national campaign and in partnership with their local community and participating retailer. - Commemorative Award Plaque
A personalized First Responder of the Year plaque recognizing their extraordinary service and impact. - Retailer Gift Card
A gift card from a participating local convenience retailer to thank them for their dedication. - Appreciation Gift Bag
A curated product bag filled with items from our supplier partner(s), designed to celebrate and support their service.
What's the timeline?
- Nominations Opened: April 15, 2026
- Nominations Closed: June 1, 2026
- Winners Notified: By July 3, 2026
- Public Recognition: July 24, 2026 (24/7 Day)
Do nominees have to be affiliated with a recent disaster?
No. While spotlighting first responders involved in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene and the Los Angeles wildfires, we welcome nominations from across the country. A crisis can take many forms—natural disasters, emergencies, or moments where someone went above and beyond.
Still have questions? Email us at [email protected].