Telecommunicators with Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office accepted the Meritorious Service Award Wednesday from the Sons of the American Revolution during National Telecommunicators Week April 8-14.

The Rev. Jim Diamond of the SAR’s Stones River Chapter presented the award in behalf of SAR President Glenn Taylor to Capt. Mike Fitzhugh and Lt. Candi McCluskey and their staff of 23 telecommunicators.

Telelcommunicators are “the heartbeat of this office,” Diamond said.

Diamond, who is a chaplain for Smyrna Police Department, said at the end of each shift he works he thanks the telecommunicators for their service.

“We’re proud of you,” Diamond told the telecommunicators.

Capt. Mike Fitzhugh supervises the Communications Division.

“It is extremely gratifying that the Sons of the American Revolution recognize the valuable services that the dispatchers of the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office provide to the citizens of the county,” Fitzhugh said. “The proclamation and the Meritorious Service Medal that Brother Jim Diamond presented to us on behalf of the SAR is most appreciated and will be displayed with pride in ourCommunicationsCenter.”

Sheriff’s Chief Deputy Randy Garrett said the presentation was given during the annual National Telecommunicators Week.

“You all do a magnificent job,” Garrett said, adding the sheriff’s office appreciates the telecommunicators.

“You’re the first call for help,” Garrett said. “People depend on you.”

Sheriff’s telecommunicators work 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. In 2011, telecommunicators answered 32,014 911 calls, 76,504 calls for service and 259,345 administrative calls.