Updated August 27, 2018

A Giles County Native has received a very special honor…

According to the Columbia Daily Herald,

Columbia Fire Chief Ty Cobb thought he was going to the “Best of Maury County” awards to give a presentation on the new Firefighters Park in downtown Columbia.

The former state representative left with tears in his eyes and the first Citizen of the Year Award from The Columbia Daily Herald’s readers.

“I only thought I was there to talk about Firefighters Park and promote the park with citizens and business owners,” Cobb said.

The 40-year-old Columbia native, who was raised in Pulaski, knew he was a finalist for the Citizen of the Year.

When it was apparent Cobb was the winner, he saw his mother and father and wife in the room, and his eyes filled with tears. He wasn’t aware they had been invited.

Cobb was named fire chief one year ago after the death of former chief Tommy Hemphill.