Watch Jon Stewart Host National Responder Day Ceremony in New York City's Times Square

As part of the 2025 celebration of National First Responders Day on Tuesday, comedian and talk show host Jon Stewart was the emcee for the First Responders Children's Foundation's fifth annual ceremony in New York City's Times Square.

"I think it's incredibly appropriate that we're doing this celebration in Times Square," said Stewart, an advocate of the first responder community. "It is the heart of New York City. It is the crossroads of the world. But what I think that makes this so appropriate is that if you look around, there's people here from all over the world that are enjoying all New York City and Times Square has to offer. … Everyone can come here to see the (New Year's Eve) ball drop because of the unseen foundation of the first responders that hold this city and this country down."

The ceremony, sponsored by Servpro, recognizes the foundation's Roll Call of Heroes, which spotlights "the heroic efforts of firefighting, emergency medical service, 911 dispatch, local and federal law enforcement, and volunteer first responders from across the United States," according to the organization. For the first time this year, first responders who collectively who fought the Los Angeles area wildfires would be honored.

The Roll of Honor individuals are recognized for their heroism, and they receive an award on behalf of all first responders in their respective fields. Here's a list of the law enforcement first responders who were honored during the ceremony:

Kayla Gillette Patten, 911 dispatcher

Agency: Alachua County Sheriff's Office, Gainesville, FL

Why honored: On March 16, 2025, Patten was the lead dispatcher during a March 16 mental health crisis, in which a suspect fired multiple rounds from his apartment. She was able to coordinate multiple calls to organize the police response and providing officers with real-time information until the suspect surrendered.

Cameron Price, police officer

Agency: Lee's Summit, MO, Police Department

Why honored: Price responded to a home invasion, and he found a suspect assaulting a woman with two children nearby. Price battled the suspect off and eventually took him into custody.

Jason Franks, federal group supervisor

Agency: DEA, New York Division

Why honored: Franks oversaw multiple large-scale drug seizures in 2025, including over 3,000 kilos of cocaine.

Rich Wong, police officer

Agency: NYPD, New York City 

Why honored: Wong was trying to apprehend an armed robbery and shooting suspect on Nov. 19, 2024, when he was shot in the leg. He returned fire and neutralized the suspect.

Scott Gulick and Christopher Capozzoli, police officers

Agency: Metropolitan Transportation Authority Police Department, New York City

Why honored: Gulick and Capozzoli broke up a fight on a subway platform, disarming a man with a 9-inch knife and taking him into custody. They also saved a person who had been stabbed multiple times. 

Along with the Roll of Honor officers, LAPD Officer Jonathan Tom and Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Commander Jabari Williams were included in a special natural disaster response honor for battling the Los Angeles wildfires. These officers were nominated by superiors and represent those agencies.