The Community Award is made during the same ceremony as the RTCA White Horse Award, given annually to backstretch or racing related workers for heroic acts.

Lexington Division of Police Officer Bryan Jared and Blue Grass Airport Department of Public Safety Officers Jon Sallee and James (Pete) Maupin were the first responders to arrive at the wreckage, located on a farm near the end of the airport runway, within minutes of the 6:07 a.m. crash. The plane's full fuel tank had ignited creating a horrendous fire that killed 49 persons. The cockpit area had separated and the three were able to rescue the lone survivor, the plane's co-pilot, James Polehinke.

"While it was happening there was a little voice in my head saying 'you can do this, you can do this,'" said Jared. "It was part training and experience and it was part just wanting to help."

Jared and Sallee, arriving separately, both ran through a field of chest-high weeds to reach the flaming wreckage. The two ignored flames inside the cockpit to free the harness around the unconscious first officer and pull him from his broken seat. While the two freed Polehinke, Maupin arrived at their location; fortuitously driving an airport SUV. Several other responding officers assisted with loading the critically injured Polehinke into the vehicle. Maupin then drove to the University of Kentucky Hospital as Jared rendered emergency first aid to the crash victim.

Jared and Maupin returned to the crash site shortly after Jared was treated for a minor burn to an arm. "I wasn't scared at the time, but when I went back and saw the burnt cockpit, a chill went down my spine and it dawned on me what happened," said Jared. "I'd seen a lot of things in nine years (on the police force), but I never saw anything like that."

"The place crash saddened the entire Lexington community and the bravery of these three officers exemplifies a quality the area's horse community respect in their horses and treasure in their neighbors," said RTCA Executive Director Dr. Enrique Torres.

Polehinke, suffered multiple injuries, lost his left leg, and is now undergoing rehabilitation in Lexington.