MONTGOMERY -- The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s (ALEA) Secretary Hal Taylor is pleased to announce the recipients of the Agency’s Lifesaving Award and Certificates of Recognition for outstanding professionalism and skills displayed through a heroic act that preserved the life of another and for outstanding professional skills while representing the Agency.
Secretary Taylor presented the awards to seven individuals in various divisions within ALEA’s Department of Public Safety (DPS) during a ceremony held at ALEA Headquarters for the family and colleagues of the recipients on Wednesday, Dec. 8. The event highlighted remarkable stories detailed by DPS’s Director, Colonel Jimmy Helms.
ALEA’s Secretary said, “While oftentimes it may seem that the heroic and selfless actions of law enforcement officers and first responders go unnoticed, it is imperative within our Agency to recognize and commend those who courageously go above and beyond the call of duty and respond to emergency situations with the utmost professionalism.” And, he added, “We are truly grateful to have both sworn and non-sworn individuals who are dedicated and genuinely care for the citizens of this great state.”
Senior Trooper Eric Watson in ALEA’s Marine Patrol Division, and Senior Troopers James Brown and Michael Aaron with ALEA’s Highway Patrol Division received the Lifesaving Award because of their quick thinking and decision-making in three separate incidents, which resulted in the preservation of three lives, a fellow ALEA colleague and two citizens.
On Jan. 25, 2021, Senior Trooper Watson was working alongside a colleague near Weiss Lake when his fellow Trooper noticed discomfort in his chest. Trooper Watson conducted a swift assessment and determined his colleague was experiencing a heart attack. He immediately notified dispatch and his supervisor while simultaneously transporting his colleague to the closest medical center in Dekalb County. Staff members were on standby and fully prepared to treat the patient with an immediate surgery.
In February 2020, Senior Trooper Brown was patrolling in Walker County when he overheard Walker County 911 dispatch an ambulance to an unresponsive patient on Alabama 5 at the Jasper Christian Center. Trooper Brown quickly proceeded to the location to find a man unresponsive at his desk inside the building. The Trooper placed the individual on the floor and immediately began CPR until after the ambulance arrived. Defibrillation was applied multiple times to the citizen before he regained a heartbeat. In a letter received from RPS Ambulance Operations Manager Robin Early, she credits Trooper Brown’s quick response and effective utilization of CPR methods in assisting to save the citizen’s life.
Senior Trooper Aaron received a Lifesaving Award for his remarkable actions that went far beyond normal expectations when he responded to a crash on Stella Lockhart Road in Walker County. Because the driver fled the scene, Trooper Aaron became concerned for the driver’s well-being after assessing the vehicle’s damage. He began calling several hospitals to inquire if someone had been admitted with injuries sustained in a motor vehicle crash. With no luck, Trooper Aaron proceeded to the residence registered to the vehicle. Unable to get anyone to answer the door, he went to a neighbor’s house to explain the situation. The neighbor assisted Trooper Aaron in contacting a family member who gave permission to enter the residence. Once inside, the neighbor and Trooper Aaron noticed a steady trail of blood leading to a bedroom. There, it was discovered that the driver of the vehicle had attempted to commit suicide by crashing his vehicle into the bridge. Unsuccessful, the man returned to his residence to attempt suicide using another method. Trooper Aaron immediately called 911 to request medical services while retrieving a medical kit from his patrol vehicle. He then located lacerations bleeding profusely and applied gauze and steady pressure to the wounds. Furthermore, he found several heavy towels and blankets in the floor and covered the individual to conserve body heat until medical assistance arrived.
In addition to the awards received by ALEA Troopers, Driver License Examiners Danita Davis, David Milis and Adrienne Taylor, and Specialist Christian Mixon were presented with Certificates of Recognition for their calm, caring, compassionate and professional response to a medical emergency while representing the Agency’s Driver License Division.
On May 20, 2021, Examiner Davis was processing a citizen at the Driver License Office in Tuscaloosa when the citizen appeared to have a seizure. Examiner Davis immediately called 911 to request medical services while Examiner Milis quickly assisted the citizen from falling out of the chair. Examiner Taylor immediately began making room and provided paramedics with a clear and quick path to the citizen while DL Specialist Mixon located the party who had accompanied the citizen and brought them inside the building.
Colonel Helms said, “Today, we are proud to share the recognition of these individuals within our Agency who continuously display the level of courage and commitment that epitomizes the Agency’s mission of providing quality service and protection to all. Each one demonstrated exceptional work grounded in the value of selfless service.”
