The Law Enforcement Commendation and Medal is presented to those who have served with distinction and devotion in the field of law enforcement. The medal is intended to recognize exceptional service or accomplishment in the field of law enforcement. Eligibility is not limited to peace officers but extends to the entire range of persons who make and enforce the law. This includes peace officers, attorneys, judges, prosecutors and legislators who have performed an exceptional act or service beyond that normally expected. The recipients are usually recommended by their superiors or peers for their accomplishments.
The Fire Safety Commendation and Medal is presented to an individual for accomplishments and/or outstanding contributions in an area of fire safety and service. The award is not limited to firefighters. It may be presented to recognize a variety of fire safety and services that have evolved into a highly technical and skilled profession with constant study, development and involvement by numerous dedicated citizens with a single goal, which is protecting human life and property by preventing injuries or casualties due to fire and chemicals.
The Emergency Medical Services Commendation and Medal is presented to an individual for accomplishments and/or outstanding contributions in the area of emergency medical services. The award is intended for paramedics, certified Emergency Medical Technicians, and others in the emergency medical field who have performed an act or service beyond which is normally expected.
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2024 Public Service Award Recipients
Lieutenant. Brandon Eggers - Emergency Medical Services Award - Memphis Fire Department
Brandon Eggers joined the Memphis Fire Department (MFD) on March 5, 2007, bringing with him valuable experience from the Bartlett Fire Department. From his first day with MFD, he has maintained a positive and uplifting personality. He is always the first to step up and volunteer for initiatives that further the goals of the department.
Over the years, Brandon has worked extensively on the ambulance and first responder teams, providing citizens and visitors of Memphis with efficient and appropriate medical care. He has touched and saved numerous lives, too many to count. On March 13, 2021, Brandon was promoted to lieutenant. In this role, he is a pragmatic and patient mentor to his peers and the personnel under his supervision.
Brandon is a vital member of Tennessee Task Force One, where he serves as the assigned training manager. His responsibilities include managing all training records for the task force team, setting up the training schedule and coordinating instructors. He also oversees the training budget and organizes travel for training. He has been in this role for the past two years.
Lieutenant Eggers was a key member of the COVID task force for the city of Memphis and the Fire Department. He spent countless hours ensuring that everyone had access to vaccinations and that records were accurately documented. During this time, he often worked continuous 20-hour days while still maintaining his family responsibilities. He is the husband of Jennifer Eggers and father to Emi, Aubrey, and Eli.
Lieutenant William Sneed - Fire Safety Award - Memphis Fire Department
On July 18, 2023, Rescue 2B was one of many units to respond to the fire on Rile Street. The situation quickly became critical as firefighters found themselves trapped within the structure.
Under the leadership of Lieutenant William Sneed, Rescue 2B played a crucial role in the rescue operation that followed. His swift and thorough assessment of the situation provided his crew with clear directions for rescuing the trapped firefighters.
Lt. Sneed, is instrumental in keeping his company in a state of readiness, always prepared to face the most challenging situations. This readiness is not just about equipment and procedures; it is also about the strong bond and trust among the crew members. They are a close-knit group, unified by their commitment to each other and their mission.
The crew's ability to utilize their training and skills under intense pressure was a testament to their dedication and professionalism. No one ever wants to be in the position they found themselves in that night on Rile Street, but Lt. Sneed's passion for training and relentless drive to ensure his company's readiness made all the difference.
The actions of Lt. Sneed and his company (Rescue 2B) on that night exemplify their continuous commitment to excellence. Their bravery, skill, and dedication to the safety of their fellow firefighters and the community serve as a reminder of the extraordinary commitment and heroism within our fire service.
Firefighter/AEMT Josh Scott - Fire Safety Award - Collierville Fire Department
On April 21, Collierville Fire & Rescue responded to a house fire at 1544 Grand Cypress Dr. Crews found fire in an upstairs bedroom with a house heavy fueled with smoke and heat. Engine 82's crew began primary search with Lt, McDearman and Firefighter/AEMT Scott. Firefighter Scott had grabbed a pump can to aid in fire suppression during the search. They forced entry and entered the house. They encountered limited visibility that became almost zero visibility when they arrived upstairs. Engine 83 was extending a 1 3/4" preconnect in the front yard when we made entry. We located the fire room and began our search for victims. Firefighter Scott deployed his pump can to keep the fire in check. Lt. McDearman began to search the room. He then worked my way up to Firefighter Scott to check on him and the fire growth. Lt. McDearman suddenly fell through the floor, where fire had apparently burned through. He was able to catch himself with his arms spread wide, but had fallen too deep to remove myself. He called out for help from Firefighter Scott. Firefighter Scott immediately knocked down the fire around Lt. McDearman and jumped into action. He began to free Lt. McDearman from the hole without any thought of himself also falling through. He acted courageously without being reckless. He was able to quickly and efficiently size up the situation and remove Lt. McDearman from the hole before significant injury. He sounded the floor and determined the best side to pull Lt. McDearman up from. Per Lt. McDearman, his actions were performed in seconds and yet were textbook firefighter rescue techniques. The fall had pulled Lt. McDearman's right pant legs up and hot embers were falling on him and down his boot. Without a doubt, Firefighter Scott's quick actions saved him from any injury. Firefighter Scott performed all this actions without the protection of a hose line and without thought of injury without being reckless.
Firefighter/Paramedic Jocko Tate - Emergency Medical Service Award - Collierville Fire Department
Firefighter/Paramedic Jocko Tate has become an integral leader for our EMS Program. Jocko is trusted for leading and training new firefighter paramedics. He has gone above and beyond to mentor new paramedics to get them prepared for the job ahead of them. He is highly respected and often sought out by others for his feedback on how to handle different situations. He shows patience when training and can guide others to place them on the correct path, teaching them what to expect as a Firefighter/Paramedic. This shows the dedication he has for making sure this community is serviced to the highest level. Jocko has been able to reach employees who have needed mentoring, turning their problems around by giving them the direction needed to ensure that a high level of service is provided. He invests in new employees, which in turn benefits the community. His mentoring also benefits the new paramedics by giving them the foundation they need for their entire career. He holds them to our Department’s high standards, which will be passed down to others in the future. He also provides compassionate, excellent care of patients, resulting in numerous accolades. The mentoring and passion he puts into others will continue to make Collierville Fire Department known for the excellent service given to our citizens now and in the future.
Deputy James Purdy - Law Enforcement Medal - Shelby County Sheriff's Office
Deputy Purdy, without hesitation, packed a wound and applied a tourniquet to a citizen who accidentally shot himself in the foot. He remained calm and presented himself in a way that helped this citizen remain calm in a critical time of need. These actions contributed to the citizen being transported in stable condition.
On a separate occasion, Deputy Purdy responded and assisted Shelby County Fire with a water rescue in freezing water. He did not hesitate to assist despite the hazardous conditions
Deputy Purdy also responded to a missing person in a wooded area during the winter months. He searched the wooded area relentlessly until he located the citizen in wet clothing in a hyper-thermic state. His devotion to finding this citizen promptly ultimately led to saving his life.
Deputy Purdy recently responded to a shooting with injuries where a residence was shot several times. He located a citizen with a gunshot wound and again packed the wound helping the citizen remain calm in chaos. He held pressure on the wound until fire/EMS personnel made the scene and transported the citizen to the hospital in stable condition.
The above-mentioned incidents only begin to display Deputy Purdy’s commitment to public safety. His heroic acts of service to the public are unshakeable as he continues to display integrity, valor, honor, fortitude, and compassion. We are grateful he is part of the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office.
Officer David Haley, Officer Jameson Goulding, Officer Eric Gonsalez, and Lieutenant Christoper Mercado - Law Enforcement Medal - Collierville Police Department
On May 11, 2024, approximately 8 PM, Officer Haley was first on the scene of a motorist experiencing a cardiac episode on Poplar Avenue in Collierville. Officer Haley quickly broke the window and cut the driver's seatbelt to extricate the unconscious man and began performing CPR. Officer Goulding arrived next and assisted with chest compressions, followed by Lt. Mercado who ensured EMS was on the way and provided an updated location. Officer Gonzalez then Joined the efforts, alternating check compressions with his colleagues. Recognizing the critical need for rescue breathing, Lt. Mercado retrieved a CPR mask and administered assisted breathing.
Their coordinated and tireless efforts continued until Collierville Fire Department arrived and took over medical operations, ultimately detecting a pulse and reviving the patient. The motorist was then rushed to Germantown Methodist, where he was listed in stable condition. The quick thinking, teamwork, and dedication of these officers, as well as the Collierville Fire Department, saved a life that night.
Westly Jones - Emergency Medical Service Award - Germantown Fire Department
Westley has proven to be an invaluable asset to our team, consistently demonstrating a high level of competence and compassion. He possesses a profound understanding of emergency medical procedures and protocols, which he applies with precision and care. One of the most notable attributes of Westley is his unwavering commitment to patient care. He goes above and beyond to ensure that each patient receives the highest standard of care, showing empathy and respect in every interaction. His excellent communication skills enable him to effectively convey critical information to patients, families, and other healthcare providers, fostering a collaborative and supportive environment.
In addition to his technical proficiency, Westley is also a natural leader. He has consistently demonstrated his ability to lead by example, whether it be through mentoring new staff members, taking initiative during emergency responses, or contributing to the development of new protocols and procedures. His proactive approach and strong work ethic have significantly contributed to the efficiency and effectiveness of our team.
Moreover, Westley has a keen interest in continuous learning and professional development. He regularly participates in training sessions, workshops, and other educational opportunities to stay abreast of the latest advancements in emergency medical services. This commitment to ongoing education ensures that he is always equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to provide the best possible care.
In conclusion, I wholeheartedly recommend Westley Jones for The Sons of the American Revolution Award. His exceptional skills, dedication to patient care, and leadership qualities make him an outstanding candidate for any opportunity he pursues. I am confident that Westley will continue to excel and make significant contributions to the field of emergency medical services.
Fire Fighter/AEMT Dewey Parnell - Fire Safety Award - Germantown Fire Department
In addition to Dewey's normal duties as a Fire Fighter - Advanced EMT, he serves as the audio technician for the department's public education program called LAFS. LAFS is short for Learning about Fire Safety and involves department members that present public education to children in area elementary schools. Over the past 6 years, Dewey has been a huge part of the LAFS program, spending countless hours preparing the audio equipment and sound-bytes for the LAFS performances. Dewey has attended numerous conferences and seminars to learn the best and newest ways to provide public safety outreach to the community. His positive attitude has been instrumental in the recruitment of new LAFS members and to the success of the Germantown Fire Department's public education program.
Lieutenant Clint Parker - Law Enforcement Medal - Germantown Police Department
On February 16, 2024 an anonymous bomb threat was called in to Houston High School. Shortly after the threat was received Lt. Parker arrived and began coordinating additional resources to ensure the safety and security of the students and faculty. Lt. Parker continued working with staff and developed a well-engineered plan for early dismissal. Lt. Parker further assisted with a search of the premises, accurate dissemination of information to the public information Officer, and providing the safest environment for students and faculty to evacuate. Lt. Parker handled this scene with great leadership and service excellence.
On December 4, 2023 Lt. Parker’s leadership was again called upon when an online threat against Houston High School was discovered. Lt. Parker acted quickly and decisively by coordinating with the School Resource Officers to identify, isolate, and interview a group of students regarding the threat. Lt. Parker’s leadership during this event led to the identification and subsequent criminal charging of the suspect.
Officer Joseph R. McKinney - Law Enforcement Medal - Memphis Police Department
On Friday, April 12, 2024, the Memphis Police Department received a call from a concerned individual that a car had been
parked in a field on Horn Lake Road for some time with the motor running. At approximately 2:06 a.m. the first officers
(among them Officer Joseph McKinney) arrived on the scene and found the car as described. There was a person asleep in the driver’s seat and another asleep in the front passenger seat. The passenger had a gun in his lap. The officers ran a check on the vehicle, and it returned as reported stolen.
As the officers attempted to effect the arrest, the passenger raised up, lifted his gun and used both hands to prepare to fire. An attentive officer called out a warning. Immediately, automatic weapon fire began. The officers’ body-worn cameras recorded the rapid report of the automatic fire. Officers on the scene immediately responded by returning fire. During the exchange of gunfire, bullets struck three officers. Officer McKinney suffered a mortal gunshot wound. The other officers survived their injuries.
The driver sped across the field to the nearby roadway. MPD Officers gave chase in their vehicles. Losing control once on the road, the stolen car struck a fence. The driver opened his door, ran from the car and officers followed on foot continually commanding him to stop. The officers engaged in the foot chase and found him lying injured in the wooded area, secured him and provided medical aid.
Meanwhile, officers at the scene of the crash were calling for the passenger to get out of the car. The commands continued
until the passenger crawled to the open driver’s door and collapsed. Officers approached, discovered he was injured,
secured him and provided medical aid.
The firearm recovered at the crash scene was located in the passenger compartment. It was a handgun fitted with an illegal device used to convert the handgun into a fully automatic weapon with an extended magazine.
Joseph R. McKinney 14649 began his career with the Memphis Police Department on February 15, 2020. Joseph McKinney
entered Memphis Police Department Training Academy Basic Recruit Class 132 as a Police Recruit. Upon completion of basic training on July 23, 2020, Probationary Officer McKinney was assigned to Uniform Patrol.
Probationary Officer McKinney was promoted to Police Officer II on July 23, 2021. Officer McKinney worked various
assignments in Uniform Patrol which included Mt. Moriah Station and Raines Station.
Officer McKinney faithfully served The Memphis Police Department and citizens of Memphis until his Line of Duty Death on April 12, 2024. Officer McKinney is credited four (4) years of service.
2023 Public Service Award Recipients
Lt. Clay Blair - Fire Safety Award – Collierville Fire Department
Clay has been an adamant advocate and instructor for firefighting and special operations training. Clay is an Instructor for Water Rescue Technician and helped coordinate recent classes. Recently, Clay was able to identify some property that was about to be developed and reached out to the company to see if it might be possible to utilize some older homes on the property for fire training prior to their removal. Then he served as the contact person between the contractor and Fire Department to coordinate the training, which included training fires in 5 homes. Clay was also one of the 5 instructors that was there for all training fires for all 3 of the fire shifts over several weeks. This has been invaluable training to refresh firefighting skills in all our personnel, including numerous new employees.
Fire Driver Reece Halyward – Emergency Medical Services Award – Collierville Fire Department
Reece has been a major part of our EMS success, including starting our Ambulance Service. He set up the daily check off program that we use for ambulances and fire equipment. He is part of the EMS Qualify Assurance Team that reviews significant calls and makes recommendations for improvement. He assisted with the inspections of the new ambulances while they were under construction at the factory. He was part of the group that helped determine the layout and placement of equipment and supplies on the new ambulances. He is one of our EMS Instructors. He attended the Fire Department Instructors Conference with the EMS Chief and helped set up the new EMS Jump Bags. He assisted with the addition of narcotics safes on the ambulances and fire apparatus.
Deputy J. Labrum – Law Enforcement Medal – Shelby County Sheriff's Office
Deputy J. Labrum is an example of consistency and reliability when serving his tours of duty as a Patrol Deputy in the Patrol Field Bureau. Deputy Labrum is normally assigned to the Northern Patrol Districts in which he maintains an excellent awareness and knowledge of crime data trends, persons of interest in areas in which more patrol attention is needed.
Deputy Labrum over the past year has exemplified the qualities and traits of a SCSO Deputy Sheriff when patrolling and serving the citizens of Shelby County.
In April of this year, Deputy Labrum initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle that was stolen. The vehicle then fled from Deputy Labrum. While fleeing, the vehicle stopped momentarily, and a female exited the vehicle and began running through the woods. Deputy Labrum then pursued the female on foot and conducted a search for her through nearby wooded area. Deputy Labrum was able to locate the female, who was discovered to be a person of interest by investigators in several auto thefts in Shelby County.
During this past June, a call was dispatched related to an armed robbery in the area of Egypt Central and Coleman Rd. Deputy Labrum responding to the area was advised by a fellow deputy that the suspects fled into the woods. Deputy Labrum assisted with a foot pursuit, located, and took one suspect into custody with minimal force.
Most recently, this past Friday August 11, Deputy Labrum responded to assist another deputy on a traffic stop at Highway 14 and Egypt Central. While speaking with the primary deputy at his traffic stop, Deputy Labrum placed the suspect into his patrol vehicle while others conducted search of the vehicle. One deputy who had searched the suspect’s vehicle became unsteady and confused. Deputy Labrum noticed that his fellow deputy appeared to be in a disoriented state. Deputy Labrum acted quickly while assisting the deputy and removing him from the busy highway and administered a single dose of Narcan to the deputy. The deputy still disoriented, thus requiring another dose of Narcan. Deputy Labrum at this point advised Communications that medical attention was needed on scene for possible fentanyl exposure by deputy.
It is estimated that over 110,000 people have died due to fentanyl exposure. Shelby County, Tennessee has had over 549 fatally overdose and over 3,100 overdose events that were recorded by local hospitals. Deputy Labrum's observation and quick actions in this incident possibly saved the life of his fellow deputy from being struck by oncoming traffic or dying from the exposure itself. His quick actions are to be commended. These actions and merits personify the personal character, diligence, and work performance of Deputy Jesse Labrum. It should be noted that it was later confirmed by chemical testing that the officer was indeed exposed to fentanyl.
Firefighter/Paramedic Zachary Thorn – Fire Safety Award – Germantown Fire Department
Thron serves as a leader for the department’s public education program, called LAFS. LAFS is short for Learning about Fire Safety and involves department members that present public education to children in area elementary schools. Over the past 10 years, Zach has been a huge part of the LAFS program. During his career, he has spent countless hours building show sets, creating scripts for the shows, and participating as one of the main characters. Zach has attended numerous conferences and seminars to learn the best and newest ways to provide public safety outreach to the community.
Zach’s positive attitude has been instrumental in the recruitment of new LAFS members and to the success of the Germantown Fire Department’s public education program.
Lieutenant Timothy Clark – Emergency Medical Services Award – Memphis Fire Department
Clark was hired as a firefighter paramedic on Truck 13 and Unit 1. During his time as a paramedic there, he made an incident where he was the paramedic on an electrocution. The power was still connected to the area. To make matters worse, the patient was on a high-rise crane while working on St. Jude. He not only treated the patient, but he was part of the rescue team that packaged him to get him to the ground. He was promoted to EMS Lieutenant on June 15, 2007. He remained at Fire Station 7 as an EMS Lieutenant, radio number 202. This position made 2255 calls amongst 3 shifts in 2022. Tim made approximately 752 of these calls.
As an EMS supervisor he has made many significant scenes over the years. He received a Life Saving award for risking his own safety by going into a fire to save a person’s life without any assistance on scene. He was the medical supervisor on the scene on the exit ramp of I240 and Norris Avenue when 2 firefighters were struck by a vehicle. One of the firefighters was in critical condition. He is back on the job after extensive physical therapy thanks to Tim’s quick actions on scene. He was part of the medical supervisors to make the unfortunate firefighter fatality of Lieutenant Jeffrey Norman.
Lt. Jeffrey Norman – Fire Safety Award - Memphis Fire Department
On July 18, 2023 @ approx. 1130pm The Memphis Fire Department was called to the report of a residence on fire. Upon arrival crews were presented with a large 2 story house with heavy fire in the garage and attic. During firefighting operations, the garage collapsed entrapping members of Engine 10 and Truck 9. After an extensive rescue the trapped firefighters were rescued. I am sad to say, LT Jeffrey Norman succumbed to his injuries sustained from the collapse.
Jeffrey Todd Norman, age 51, of Lakeland, TN Jeff served with the 164th Aerial Port Squadron of Tennessee Air National Guard for 28 years and earned the rank of Master Sargent before retiring. He served multiple tours of duty overseas and in the United States, including 2 tours in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. In 2002, he joined the Memphis Fire Department. In the following years, he moved up to the ranks of Driver and Lieutenant. “Dirty Red”, as he was known, was assigned to Engine 14, Truck 9, Engine 39, Engine 38, and Engine 10 during his career. He received the Life Saving Medal in service to the citizens of Memphis.
Officer Geoffrey Bernard Redd – Law Enforcement Medal - Memphis Police Department
On Thursday, February 2, 2023, at 12:01 hours, Appling Farms Station Officers Geoffrey Redd and his partner responded to a trespassing call at 5100 Poplar (Clark Tower) where a complainant wanted a male suspect removed from the property. Officers arrived and were alerted that the suspect went inside the library at 5094 Poplar. The officers went to the library and continued the investigation. The officers began to escort the suspect out of the library. The suspect then pulled out a handgun and shot Officer Redd. Officer Geoffrey Redd died sixteen days later. He never regained consciousness.
Geoffrey Bernard Redd 11337 began his career with the Memphis Police Department on October 01, 2007. Geoffrey Redd entered Memphis Police Department Training Academy Basic Recruit Class 98 as a Police Recruit. Upon completion of basic training on February 21, 2008, Probationary Officer Redd was assigned to the Old Allen Station Charlie and Delta shifts.
Probationary Officer Redd was promoted to Police Officer II on February 21, 2009. Officer Redd worked various assignments in Uniform Patrol which included Union Station Delta Shift, Raines Station Delta Shift, Mt. Moriah Station Alpha Shift, Ridgeway Station Delta Shift, and Appling Farms Station Bravo Shift.
On February 7, 2014, Officer Redd was selected to serve as a Crisis Intervention Team Officer. Officer Redd served on CIT for nine years.
On June 23, 2017, Officer Redd was selected as a Field Training Officer. Officer Redd served as an FTO for over five years and trained many probationary officers.
2022 Public Service Award Recipients
Memphis Fire Department - EMS Award Recipient
Lieutenant Lee Gregory assisted the Infection Control Officer in preparing for the roll out of the COVID-19 Vaccination Point of Distribution. Lieutenant Gregory completed training to become a vaccine lead and coordinator for Shelby County. He coordinated daily distribution and collection of the COVID-19 vaccine to numerous locations across the county. During this period, he worked mostly seven days a week for 12-16 hours a day.
Lt. Gregory sacrificed everything to be the vaccine coordinator for this unprecedented event. His work ethic, attention to detail, kindness to his personnel and the public and rapport with the medical leaders across the county and state was exemplary.
Memphis Fire Department - Fire Safety Award Recipient
Lieutenant Jason Berry has been described as a model officer. He is a great mentor to new and experienced fire employees. Lieutenant Berry is passionate about developing future leaders of the Memphis Fire Department and has assisted numerous personnel reach the rank of driver and lieutenant.
Lieutenant Berry possess a strong command presence, calm demeanor, and leadership skills that make the most difficult emergency scenes seem routine. Lieutenant Jason Berry is the best example of a strong company officer.
Memphis Police Department - Law Enforcement Award Recipient
Officer Joshua Thompson has been with the Memphis Police Department over 5 years and is currently a member of Applings Farms Station Task Force. This is a small, pro-active unit used to address crime issues and suppress crime trends.
Since January of 2022, Officer Thompson has been a part of numerous arrest and other enforcement activity in that Station. A few incidents in which he played a pivotal role stand out.
On February 19, 2022, Officer Thompson arrested a male responsible for the thefts of catalytic converters near Hwy 64 and New Brunswick. He was charged with those crimes as well as 34.5 grams of methamphetamine, 3 pistols, and being a felon in possession of the firearms.
On May 7, 2022, Officer Thompson acted as a spotter in an undercover vehicle during a sting targeting drag racing. He arrested a 17-year-old juvenile armed with a pistol.
On June 22, 2022, the AFS Task Force worked in conjunction with the Bartlett Crime Suppression Unit. They followed a stolen Dodge Charger to the area of Ptarmigan Trail and Windflower. Working together, they were able to corner the occupants of the vehicle and take all three into custody after a foot chase. Along with the stolen vehicle, officers recovered a programmer used to steal other vehicles, a rifle, and (5) pistols one of which was converted to fire fully automatic.
Bartlett Police Department - Law Enforcement Award Recipient
On June 6, 2022, at approximately 18:07 hours, Officer Lawrence Ellis was dispatched to a drowning of a small child at 7974 Sandywood Ln, Bartlett, TN. Upon his arrival, at the address, Officer Ellis was flagged down by several family members in the front yard who were in obvious distress and advising a 2 year old male climbed into the pool unnoticed and was under water for an undetermined amount of time before another family member noticed he was missing. The family retrieved the young boy out of the pool and moved him to the driveway of the residence prior to Officer Ellis's arrival. Officer Ellis then quickly located the victim and recognized he could not feel a pulse on the child. Officer Ellis started CPR completing approximately three cycles of chest compressions, followed by breath cycles, during which fluid began discharging from the victim's mouth and nose.
Fire Department, Unit 3 arrived on scene and was able to complete further resuscitation methods on the unit and transport the victim to the hospital. After arriving at the hospital, the victim was advised that the treatment provided by Officer Ellis at the scene undoubtedly had a major contribution to the child surviving long enough to make it to the hospital.
The family later contacted Detective Jason Jackson, and wanted to thank the dispatchers and officers on scene for the quick response time and the life saving measures performed on scene.
Arlington Fire Department - Fire Safety Award Recipient
Town Administrator Catherine Durant for the last several years she has been the driving force to improve fire safety of the Town. She pushed for reports on additional fire service needs and after approval spearheaded the purchase of a new Quint, 12 new personnel and selected a station location. She also oversaw the planning and beginning build of the new station. Her leadership in fire safety has allowed the town to have, for the first time, two functioning fire stations.
Arlington Fire Department - EMS Award Recipient
Lieutenant Jody Winfield, from Truck 71 B-Shift. He worked tirelessly teaching the last year at Arlington High School as we delivered our last offering of the Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) program. He was the only active member of our department still voluntarily teaching this course daily. The goal was to spark interest in the field of Emergency Medicine.
Shelby County Sheriff's Office - Law Enforcement Award Recipient
Deputy Samuel Lilley has been with the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office since 2017. He currently works in the Traffic division.
On March 16, 2022, Deputies were dispatched to a welfare check on a male standing outside the bridge railing on the Canada Rd overpass, over Interstate 40. Deputy Lilley arrived on the scene and began attempt to speak with the male who was noncommutative. Deputy Lilley offered the male a cigarette several times and after several minutes was able to determine that he was having family issues with his parents.
The male attempted to move down the railing to place himself over the east bound lanes of I-40. Deputy Lilley saw an opportunity and was able to “bear hug” the male until other deputies were able to assist. Deputy Cantrell who had made the scene reached through the bars and grabbed the males legs. Captain Fields with ES saw deputies trying to get the male over the railing. Captain Fields ran up and grabbed the male’s legs and lifted them over the railing, enabling deputies to pull him to the other side of the rail. Deputies were then able to detain him without further incident.
Deputy Cantrell was instrumental in this situation; however, Deputy Lilley was the primary deputy, who made the decision to act and held the individual there until Deputy Cantrell and others were able to get him over the rail. Deputy Lilley is commended for his bravery and selflessly putting himself in harm’s way in order to prevent the individual from harming himself. Deputy Lilley’s, patience and quick response ultimately preserved life and displayed the upmost integrity of the Sheriff’s Office.
Collierville Police Department - Law Enforcement Award Recipient
Officer Ryan Dunn was a freshly promoted Detective when he was assigned to be the department's Victims Witness Coordinator with a specialty in Domestic Violence investigations. Detective Dunn immediately set about assessing the program as he was learning the ropes.
He was introduced to the Women's Advocacy Center, where he learned about their lethality assessment process. This process is designed to evaluate the likelihood of seriously injury or death to victims encountered by police on domestic violence calls by providing an effective screening method that identifies those at the highest risk of being seriously injured or killed by their intimate partners.
Detective Dunn shared the lethality assessment program information with Collierville Judge, Lee Ann Dobson. Together, they customized the format to suite the needs of the Town of Collierville. Once completed, Detective Dunn personally trained every member of the Collierville Police Department to assure that the program was understood and could be implemented as soon as possible in the field.
After review of the program's first year, it was determined that the implementation of the assessment program has contributed to a 30% decrease in reported incidents of domestic abuse in Collierville. That is a reduction of the number of times victims return to abusive homes by making it harder for abusers to have access to them after being arrested. This program protects the victim at the onset of police intervention and then offers resources that give the victim time and guidance to a safer environment.
Collierville Fire Department - Fire Safety Award Recipient
Lieutenant Dennis (Jimbo) Hunsucker, Jimbo has done a great job coordinating the Fire Department's Special Operations response capabilities, especially preparing our Swiftwater Team for State credentialing (as a joint team with Germantown and Millington) and recent possible deployment to the Kentucky floods.
Collierville Fire Department - EMS Award Recipient
Lieutenant Clay McDearman. Clay is the EMS Instructor for the A Shift. He recently completely training as an Instructor for the Elegard Heads-Up CPR Device and assisted with training all of his shift personnel in the operations of this new, cutting edge device. Clay consistently shows a passion for performing his job at the highest level and helping others to provide excellent patient care.
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