Richard A. Kirton, director of Kitsap County 911-CENCOM, received the prestigious 2014 APCO-NENA Maurice Courtright Award for the tremendous amount of work, dedication and heart he contributes to the advancement of the Public Safety profession through his efforts with the APCO-NENA Organization.

The Maurice Courtright Award is presented to individuals having a positive, caring attitude who believe that to elevate and make great the individuals in an organization will make the organization vastly greater and stronger for the benefit of all.

Kirton began his 911 career in 1990 as a dispatcher for the Shelton Police Department. In 1993, he moved to Valley Communications in Kent, where he was promoted to lead dispatcher.  In 1998, Richard came to CENCOM as the training and operations manager, became the deputy director in 2005 and was appointed director in 2008.