FOLEY, Ala. — David Vosloh said the Foley community has given much to him and his wife, Sue. Some years back they started trying to figure a way to return the favor. Tuesday afternoon they started that process by giving cash awards to a Foley High School teacher and a Foley police officer through the David and Sue Vosloh Charitable Foundation.

The inaugural awards went to Foley High School’s Teacher of the Year, Alissa Murphy, and Foley Police Department’s Officer of the Year, Cpl.. Eric Waldrep.

David Vosloh, speaking at the awards presentation in council chambers at Foley City Hall, said he and his wife came to focus on law enforcement and education as the best avenues by which to repay the city for what it has meant to them.

Vosloh said the cash awards of $2,500 will hopefully increase in time to $5,000 through the non-profit charitable foundation set up with the help of their financial advisors. The Voslohs, former owners of Vosloh Enterprises Inc., a homebuilding business, have set aside more than $150,000 to fund the annual cash awards.

“These funds are here forever unless the world collapses,” said Vosloh, who thanked Norm Moore of the Baldwin County School Board and Foley Councilman Charlie Ebert Jr. among others for making the endowments possible through the Baldwin County Board of Education and City of Foley.

“One of the great things about living in this community is the people we have,” said Mayor John Koniar in referring to the Voslohs and the education and law enforcement endowments they have made possible.

“How pleased and honored we are to share in this special day,” said Baldwin County Superintendent of Education Faron Hollinger.

“When it all boils down to what we do, it’s the teacher,” he said, who has most to do with success in education.

Foley High School Principal Kenneth Dinges, who introduced Murphy, called her “kind, warm and giving to students at Foley High School.”

Police Chief David Wilson introduced Waldrep, of whom he said, “He always gives his maximum effort.”

Waldrep was credited by Wilson as breaking up a burglary ring that was active in several southeastern states. The chief also noted that in January 2007 Waldrep was on patrol in the Mills neighborhood of the city when he came across a house fire. After making certain the house was evacuated, Waldrep had to enter the burning house after the homeowner ran back inside. Waldrep had to struggle with the homeowner to get him back outside, Wilson said.

Wilson said Waldrep is a “pleasure to supervise.”

“I work with a lot of good guys,” Waldrep said of fellow officers at FPD.

Murphy, who has been at FHS for three years, came from Monroe County, Ala. She has been a Teacher of the Year before but said being FHS’ Teacher of the Year has been a “very special experience” apart from the cash award. She said people in Foley have been “very nice.”

While Murphy was awarded the $2,500 endowment, Waldrep received $1,000 as a result of what Vosloh called a “glitch.” A state law apparently prohibits awards of more than $1,000 for a city employee, so the city has asked for an attorney general’s opinion on the matter.

If that opinion favors the city and Waldrep and is received before next year’s selections, a supplemental award of $1,500 will be provided for Waldrep.

The David and Sue Vosloh Charitable Foundation is governed by a board that includes the Voslohs and Tommy Benson, CPA. Charles Schwab & Co. manages the endowed funds.

“Wouldn’t it be neat if this concept became infectious,” said Vosloh of recognizing school and law enforcement personnel with cash awards who have distinguished themselves in their jobs.