Police Officers, Firefighter Honored At Monthly PSC Meeting
Tuesday morning's monthly meeting of the Dalton Public Safety Commission featured a number of Dalton officers and firefighters being honored for outstanding performances in the line of duty, both on duty and off.
Awards of Valor, Merit After Bridge Rescue
Officers Keidric Johnson and Coleman Jenkins were presented with the Dalton Police Department's Awards of Valor and Merit, respectively, for their parts in the rescue of a woman from the Waugh Street bridge.
The incident happened earlier this summer when the officers were dispatched to a report of a woman standing over the rail of the bridge and threatening to jump off. Officer Jenkins was the first to arrive on scene and made contact with the woman who was experiencing a crisis. Officer Jenkins spoke to the woman and worked to reassure her and convince her to climb back over using his training and experience. Officer Johnson responded to the scene a few moments later and both slowly approached the woman while speaking to her and reassuring her. After some time passed, Officer Johnson seized the moment, suddenly lunging forward while the woman focused on Officer Jenkins and grabbed her, pulling her back from the edge while Jenkins and others rushed forward to help. The woman was taken from the scene to get help.
Officer Johnson was presented with the Award of Valor by Assistant Chief Chris Crossen, who noted the award is given to officers who, "conscious of danger and great risk of imminent personal hazard to life, distinguishes themselves by intelligently performing an act of heroism or valor above and beyond the call of duty.” Officer Jenkins was recognized with the Award of Merit. Assistant Chief Crossen noted that Jenkins' "calm demeanor and ability to engage [the woman] in dialogue gave time for lifesaving action to take place."
Officer Keidric Johnson (center) and Coleman Jenkins (right) were honored by Asst. Chief Crossen for their heroic actions
Off-Duty Firefighter Honored For Actions After Accident
You don't stop being a firefighter after your shift ends. Engineer Jared Burns is just the latest example of a Dalton firefighter going above and beyond the call of duty while off duty. He was awarded a certificate of commendation by Chief Todd Pangle Tuesday for his actions earlier this month after a traffic crash happened in front of his house in Murray County.
After the crash, Engineer Burns immediately ran outside and began to work to assess the patients on scene and rendered aid. Once local firefighters arrived, he kept working and assisted them with extracting the two victims who were trapped inside of their vehicle. Thanks to his quick actions, all the victims are expected to have good outcomes from the crash.
Chief Pangle congratulates Engineer Jared Burns
Veteran Officer Earns Promotion To Sergeant
Chief Cliff Cason presented longtime DPD officer Mike Bowen for promotion to the rank of sergeant during Tuesday morning's meeting. Sergeant Bowen's promotion was confirmed by a unanimous vote of the Public Safety Commission members.
Sergeant Bowen started his career with the Dalton Police Department in 1999, serving until 2012 when he left to pursue a career in the ministry. He resumed his law enforcment career in 2016 with the Bradley County Sheriff's Office in 2016, where he served until returning to the ranks with Dalton in 2018. He served in patrol until November 2020 when he took over as the department's training coordinator.
Chief Cliff Cason stands with newly promoted Sergeant Mike Bowen
New Officer Confirmed By PSC
The Public Safety Commission also confirmed the appointment of a new officer to the DPD ranks Tuesday. Officer Jordan Owens was confirmed by a unanimous vote of the panel.
Officer Owens is a graduate of Ringgold High School, where he finished in 2010. In 2017, he earned his bachelor's degree from Brigham Young University's Idaho campus in Rexburg, Idaho.
