Napier honored for heroism
Holding his Russell Springs Anchor Award, Rick Napier, center, talked with those attending an event last week in which he was bestowed two different honors for his heroic efforts and service to the public.
By Wade Daffron
TJ Editor
Rick Napier, proprietor of the popular Big Daddy’s Eats & Treats, has been considered a chef, a tourist ambassador, friend to many, and how about a hero?
Twice over, if not more.
Last week, Napier received two honors for his heroism and importance to the community.
Through an arrangement with Rocky Adkins, Senior Advisor to Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, Russell County Judge Executive Randy Marcum presented Napier with a Kentucky Colonel commission-the highest title of honor bestowed by the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
Marcum said the award was “for (Napier’s) actions he’s taken on two, different occasions, and there’s probably three, where he’s helped save people’s lives down here at the dam.”
(Napier’s Big Daddy’s Eats & Treats is located at Kendall Park with a panoramic view of the Wolf Creek Dam.)
The judge said in one incident, a man “got up against the dam,” and another situation involved a “grandfather and grandson up against the dam.”
“He called…and got them rescued and helped save their lives,” Marcum said. “It was just fortunate Rick was out here the night the guy got up against the dam. He had left and came back for something.”
(Joey Murray, Power Plant Shift Operator at the Wolf Creek Dam Power Plant, has also been honored with a Kentucky Colonel commission and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers “Star of Life” Award for his actions in one of the events.
Russell Springs Mayor Eddie Thomas presented Napier with an Anchor Award from the city.
Anchor Awards are given to those who serve the city or community in an exemplary fashion.
Thomas said Napier’s eatery, known for it’s smash burgers, ice cream, and other culinary delights, draws people in from near and far, and has become one of the most popular stops during tourist season.
“I’d love to get him in Russell Springs,” the mayor said. “People come from all around to eat here…and just imagine how it would be if he was in the city.”
On the special day, Thomas reminded Napier “you’re a Kentucky Colonel AND a Russell Springs Anchor.”
Both Judge Marcum and Mayor Thomas commented how Napier has achieved the task of running a popular business which appeals to both “locals” and tourists-while bringing prominence to the area.
“He’s really got a unique thing going here,” Marcum said.
Representatives from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District, Russell County Tourist Commission, and friends of Napier were also on hand for Friday’s presentations.
