The Bulletin Notes

Law enforcement officers are challenged daily in the performance of their duties; they face each challenge freely and unselfishly while answering the call to duty. In certain instances, their actions warrant special attention from their respective departments. The Bulletin also wants to recognize their exemplary service to the law enforcement profession.

In the early morning hours, while leaving the Martin, Tennessee, Police Department, Sergeant Scott Robbins noticed fire coming from a two-story apartment building two blocks away and immediately called for assistance from Officers Todd Wright and Tommy Erwin. Without regard for their personal safety, the officers entered the smoke-filled building to wake and evacuate the residents, some of whom the officers had to physically carry to safety. Although the fire totally destroyed the building, the quick, decisive, and heroic actions of Sergeant Robbins and Officers Wright and Erwin prevented any injuries or loss of life.

Sergeant Brian Norwood of the Missouri City, Texas, Police Department responded to a report of a house fire. Upon arrival, Sergeant Norwood was met by a panic stricken woman yelling that her 2-year-old baby was still inside the residence. After determining the location of the child’s bedroom, and without regard for his personal safety, Sergeant Norwood entered the smoke-filled house, crawled up the stairs, and began to blindly search for the child. Once finding the child huddled and crying in a corner, Sergeant Norwood rescued the child by crawling back out of the house to safety. Sergeant Norwood’s quick and pivotal action, at great risk to his own safety, saved the life of the small child.

On an evening of heavy rains, while on patrol, Officer Ian O’Neal of the Ardmore, Oklahoma, Police Department noticed a van in a ditch with water quickly rising over the van’s roof. Realizing that someone was still inside the van, Officer O’Neal quickly climbed on top of the van and broke one of the side windows. Disregarding his own personal safety, Officer O’Neal entered the van, blindly felt through the water for the occupant, and pulled her to safety. Officer O’Neal’s brave and expedient actions saved this woman’s life.