“Beyond The Badge” Event Puts Focus On Families Behind The Uniform

JOHNSTON COUNTY, N.C. – The focus wasn’t just on badges, uniforms, or commendations—it was on the people waiting at home.

Hundreds gathered Saturday at Barber Springs Waterside for the first-ever “Beyond the Badge” Celebration, an event designed to recognize not only first responders, but the families who live with the weight of the job every day.

Hosted by the Public Safety Action Committee (PSAC), the ceremony took a different approach from traditional awards programs. Instead of calling up officers, firefighters, and agents alone, organizers brought entire families to the stage—spouses and children standing alongside those who serve.

The message was clear: public safety doesn’t end when a shift does.

The event highlighted the human side of recent high-profile cases across North Carolina, including the Harnett County Joe Smith investigation and the Raleigh mass shooting response. But rather than focusing solely on tactical success, the program leaned into the personal cost—long hours, missed time at home, and the emotional strain carried beyond the scene.

Community-based efforts were also recognized, including the Cary Police Department’s “Camp Confidence,” which supports youth through mentorship and engagement.

North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation Director Chip Hawley delivered the keynote, emphasizing that behind every uniform is a support system that often goes unseen. Lynda Loveland was a special guest at the event.

“This job doesn’t just belong to the person wearing the badge,” Hawley said. “It belongs to their family, too.”

Johnston County Sheriff Steve Bizzell, who was unable to attend due to the North Carolina Sheriffs’ Association Annual Training Conference, shared a message of support that underscored that same theme.

Bizzell congratulated PSAC for bringing the event to Johnston County and expressed appreciation for the families who stand behind those in uniform. He also recognized members of the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office who attended, including Lt. Brian O’Branovich, Deputy Cobi Taylor, Deputy Jose Moreno, and Deputy John Long.

The deputies, accompanied by their wives, serve on the Sheriff’s Aggressive Field Enforcement Team—known as the S.A.F.E. Team—a specialized unit focused on enforcing motor vehicle laws, removing impaired drivers from roadways, and deterring crime across the county.

Bizzell extended his gratitude to PSAC, his respect to the honorees, and his appreciation for the families who make the work of public safety possible.

The tone of the evening balanced reflection with celebration. Live music from The Antique Outlaws and family-friendly activities gave attendees a rare chance to step out of crisis mode and spend time together in a more relaxed setting.

Agencies from across the region participated, including departments from Raleigh, Cary, Garner, and Johnston County, along with state and federal partners such as the SBI, ALE, State Highway Patrol, and U.S. Marshals Service.

PSAC, a North Carolina-based nonprofit, says the event is part of a broader mission—supporting first responders not just professionally, but personally. That includes advocacy, family resources, and community outreach aimed at strengthening the people behind the work.

For many in attendance, the night served as a reminder that while the public often sees the response, it’s the unseen support at home that makes it possible.