Meet Fayetteville’s 2025 Public Safety Employees of the Year
Published on October 28, 2026
Public safety takes many people working together, each with an important role in serving the community. Earlier this year, the City recognized three employees for their work in 2025: Police Officer of the Year Joseph M. Bergamine, Firefighter of the Year Jeffrey Horne and Telecommunicator of the Year Donna Godwin.
Here’s a chance to get to know each of them.
Police Officer of the Year
Joseph Bergamine
What inspired you to choose a career in public safety?
“I was fortunate to grow up in a family with a strong tradition of public service and law enforcement, including my grandfather, father and older brother. Their examples gave me an early appreciation for the responsibility and dedication it takes to serve and protect others. From a young age, I knew becoming a police officer was what I wanted to do.”
What’s something about your job that might surprise people?
“Unlike what television portrays, homicide investigations take a lot of time, effort and collaboration. Detectives, forensic technicians and prosecutors work together behind the scenes to build a strong, evidence-based case. The goal is not only to identify and arrest a suspect, but to help bring justice for the victim.”
What helps you keep going on difficult days?
“I remember the victims and their families. These investigations can be lengthy and challenging, but staying committed to the process and following the evidence can help provide answers, accountability and a sense of justice.”
Where do you like to go in Fayetteville when you want to recharge?
“I enjoy attending Fayetteville Woodpeckers and Fayetteville Marksmen games. It’s a great way to unwind, recharge and support our local teams.”
What does this recognition mean to you?
“It means a great deal. We were taught in the academy that recognition should never be the reason we choose this profession. There are many dedicated officers and detectives who deserve this honor, and I’m grateful to be among them. If I had to thank one person, it would be my dad. He taught my brother and me the importance of hard work, perseverance and integrity.”
Firefighter of the Year
Jeffrey Horne
What inspired you to choose a career in public safety?
“I’ve always wanted to help others. Then I started spending time with firefighters and saw the brotherhood they share. I began volunteering and realized this was what I wanted to do full time.”
What’s something about your job that might surprise people?
“People sometimes think we sit around waiting for calls, but there’s so much more to the job. We train, work out, handle computer work and take part in the community. I’m grateful for all of it. There’s a lot more to this job than running calls.”
What helps you keep going on difficult days?
“My crew, my wife and my faith. This job is difficult physically and mentally, and you have to stay prepared because you never know what each moment will bring. My crew helps us get through tough calls and busy days. My wife is always there to listen and hype me up when I need it.”
Where do you like to go in Fayetteville when you want to recharge?
“I love catching a Woodpeckers game at Segra, and I enjoy being outdoors. I’ve recently started hunting on Fort Bragg. The woods are one of the best places for me to relax and recharge.”
What does this recognition mean to you?
“It means a lot. There are so many deserving firefighters here, and even being nominated was a shock. I’d like to thank my crew, past and present, for helping make me the firefighter I am today. I’m also grateful for my wife, who is my biggest supporter, and for my faith.”
Telecommunicator of the Year
Donna Godwin
What inspired you to choose a career in public safety?
“My father inspired me. He always told me to help someone when I can.” What’s something about your job that might surprise people? “I see this career as a way to help someone every day.”
What helps you keep going on difficult days?
“My teammates. We know we can lean on each other on the bad days, and we have a fantastic supervisor who is there to help when needed.”
Where do you like to go in Fayetteville when you want to recharge?
“I’m not someone who goes out on the town. I enjoy quiet time at home, where I can control the quiet. I spend time in my craft room and relax with my heating blanket.”
What does this recognition mean to you?
“Being recognized as Telecommunicator of the Year was an honor and the best surprise I could have received. I want to thank all the communications employees who voted for me.”
What advice would you give someone considering a career in public safety?
“A career in communications can be very rewarding because we get to help people on some of the worst days of their lives. Always rely on your team. You’ll need to work together—you are a team.”
Whether they’re following evidence, answering an emergency call or working alongside their crew, these honorees show the many ways public safety employees serve Fayetteville. And when they’re off duty, you might find them cheering on a local team, enjoying the outdoors or unwinding at home in a craft room—with a heating blanket close by.