Onancock Elks Lodge Honors First Responders, Law Enforcement and Riverside Shore Cancer Center Staff

Pictured, clockwise from top left: Exalted Ruler Laura Goga presents a $10,000 donation to Dr. Laura Kerbin and Hospital President Kristie Finney to the Riverside Shore Cancer Center in honor of the dedicated and compassionate staff of the center.; 2026 Law Enforcement Officer of the Year, Lt. Joshua Marsh, Accomack County Sheriff’s Department2026 EMS/Paramedic of the Year, Michael Bagwell, EMS Captain with Bloxom Volunteer Fire Co. & full time Paramedic with Northampton County EMS.; EMS Captain Bagwell was unable to attend the event.2026 Firefighter of the Year Masen Bell, Captain with the Cape Charles Fire Department.

The Onancock Elks Lodge #1766 held its annual Fire, Rescue and Law Enforcement Appreciation Day on Saturday, June 13, recognizing first responders and law enforcement officers from across the Eastern Shore of Virginia.

Each year, the lodge presents awards for Law Enforcement Officer of the Year, Firefighter of the Year and EMS/Paramedic of the Year. This year’s Law Enforcement Officer of the Year was Lt. Joshua Marsh of the Accomack County Sheriff’s Department.

The 2026 Firefighter of the Year award was presented to Masen Bell, a captain with the Cape Charles Fire Department. Bell is 19 years old and holds Firefighter I, Firefighter II and Hazmat certifications.

Michael Bagwell, EMS captain with the Bloxom Volunteer Fire Company and a full-time paramedic with Northampton County EMS, was named EMS/Paramedic of the Year. Bagwell was unable to attend the event.

The lodge also recognized the dedication of local volunteer fire and rescue departments by providing a free picnic-style lunch for those in attendance. Each volunteer department on the Eastern Shore was presented with a $1,000 donation.

Additional donations were awarded through cornhole and tug-of-war competitions between departments, with an extra $1,000 split among the top three teams.

This year, the lodge also honored the staff of Riverside Shore Cancer Center for their dedication, caring and compassion toward patients. Onancock Elks Lodge #1766 Exalted Ruler Laura Goga presented a $10,000 donation to Dr. Laura Kerbin and Hospital President Kristie Finney in honor of the center’s staff.

In recognition of Flag Day, attendees also witnessed a respectful flag retirement ceremony performed by Boy Scout Troop 314 and Cub Scout Pack 314 of Exmore.