CANTON, GA — A military veteran and community volunteer has been named the 43rd recipient of the First Citizen of Cherokee County Award. Scott McElroy was honored Thursday, Jan. 18 at the Cherokee Chamber of Commerce's 47th Annual Meeting.

A lifelong Cherokee County resident, McElroy resides in the Clayton Community with his wife, Cherokee County Clerk of Superior Courts Patty Baker, and children. An Eagle Scout who graduated from Cherokee High School and enlisted in the United States Navy, McElroy served as an intelligence specialist, and was deployed to the Western Pacific and the American Embassy in Venezuela. He holds five military occupational specialties: infantryman, cavalry scout, intelligence analyst, geospatial imagery analyst and counterintelligence special agent. In 2000, he transferred to the Georgia National Guard. McElroy received the Purple Heart Medal of Honor after the Humvee he was traveling in was struck with an IED while on patrol. Injuries sustained following the Purple Heart award led to his retirement after 22 years of service to his country.

His service has been refocused following retirement, as he is the co-founder of the Georgia National Guard Family Support Foundation Half Marathon, Ruck March and 5K and has raised funds to assist the families of soldiers who are away on duty with the National Guard. The run is held each year in Cherokee County and honors one of the soldiers McElroy served with who was killed in action. McElroy formerly served as the vice president for the nonprofit, Georgia's Wounded Heroes, and currently serves on the Georgia National Cemetery Advisory Council in Cherokee County. He gives back to the community by speaking to organizations such as the Boy Scouts and Sept. 11 memorial events and at Veterans Day programs organized in the county.

When was not deployed or on active duty, McElroy served as a deputy with the Cherokee Sheriff's Office. While with the agency, he served as an Cherokee Multi-Agency Narcotics Squad officer and a member of the SWAT Team. He has also raised funds for Georgia combat wounded vets, law enforcement and firefighters. One of the most notable awards presented to McElroy post-retirement by the National Guard Association of Georgia is the James Edward Oglethorpe Award. The award commends a recipient for unwavering support, vision, efforts and capabilities that had far reaching effects on the Georgia National Guard. It also epitomizes the simple, but profound philosophy of General James Oglethorpe, "Life is not about Self, but Others."

"The Cherokee County Chamber was honored to name Scott as the 43rd recipient of the prestigious First Citizen of Cherokee County Award," said Julianne Rivera, owner of Sold by Julianne - Keller Williams North Atlanta and 2018 Chamber Chair. "It is obvious, based upon his accomplishments, why he was selected."

The title of First Citizen of Cherokee County is bestowed upon a resident of the county who has resided in the county for a minimum of five years and has shown significant meritorious service to his/her community through family, civic and/or religious involvement. A panel of out-of-town judges reviews the accomplishments of each applicant then the winner is chosen based upon merit.