By Shannon McFarlin News Director
Paris, Tenn.–It was an emotional evening for the Henry County 911 Board as they honored the family of long-time County EMS Director and 911 Board Member Mike Shankle.
The board also honored former Sheriff Monte Belew and Paris Special Schools District Director Dr. Norma Gerrell on their service as past board members.
Mike Shankle passed away in October of 2020 after a lifetime of service to the community.
The 911 Board approved the naming of the Mike Shankle 911 Life-Saving Award in his honor. The Board also honored his family with presentation of a plaque for his service.
His entire family including his wife Diane, mother Joan Shankle, siblings and children were on hand for the presentation.
911 Board Chair John Etheridge said, “It’s great to see all of the family here–that makes a statement.” He noted he worked with Shankle for 24 years and described him as a great public servant and family man.
Etheridge noted that Shankle had served on the board for several years and had to leave for a time due to health issues, but returned to the board later. “We were glad for every minute we had with him,” Etheridge said.
911 Director Mark Archer said, “Mike gave his life to the citizens of Henry County.” He noted that Shankle was an EMT, EMS Director, 911 Board member and served on several different state boards. “He gave his life to helping people.”
He also noted the Shankle family has a legacy of helping people, too. “The whole family is built that way,” Archer said. “Mike played an important role in how we operate today.”
Current EMS Director Twila Rose noted that Shankle was her mentor and she had worked with him for 30 years. “I see Mike in everything. Henry County wouldn’t be the same without Mike,” she said. “I’m lucky to follow him as EMS Director.”
His wife Diane said, “All of you knew him so well and you all know he always had the public in mind.” She thanked everyone for the honor.
Archer explained that the Mike Shankle 911 Life-Saving Award will be given out as appropriate and their names will be affixed to the wall inside the 911 building alongside a framed photo of Shankle.
In other business:
–In the course of discussion of upcoming renovations at the 911 building to create a dispatch backup center, Sheriff Josh Frey and Paris Police Chief Ricky Watson said they would approve a renewed examination of the possibility of a Central Dispatch for Henry County.
Etheridge appointed a committee of Frey, Watson, and Archer to look at the issue again. There is no deadline on it, he said. “Take your time. We need to do this well and we’ll see where we are from there.”
–Archer reported that the 911 “Text to 911” project is complete and that the public has been informed through radio, news websites and flyers. He also noted that WTPR, WENK, WLZK and other Forever Communications radio stations are running ads on “Text to 911” all month long.
Photo: Diane Shankle thanks everyone for honoring her husband, Mike, while Mike’s mother Joan Shankle, and his sister Beverly Simmons look on. (Shannon McFarlin photo).