Abilene police recognize some of their best

Officer Cory Davis said he knew he was getting some type of recognition from the Abilene Police Department on Wednesday afternoon. He just wasn't sure what form it would take.

It turns out he and fellow officer Jerod Daniel both were given the Police Medal of Valor, one of the highest honors an officer of the law can receive.

"We don't work for awards or accolades," Davis said. "But any time you go through something like this, it's nice to get the recognition."

The pair were honored for saving a woman from her burning home in October.

Chief Stan Standridge said the officers exemplified bravery in their response to the fire in a duplex on South Second Street.

On Oct. 6, Daniel was on patrol near South First and Palm streets when he smelled smoke and went to investigate, finding the duplex in flames.

Davis was the first to respond to Daniel's call for backup. The two used a garden hose to begin knocking down some of the flames. Then they saw a woman lying on the floor of the burning home.

Daniel rushed in. Unprepared for the heat and ill-equipped, he quickly became trapped in the residence by burning objects. That's when Davis rushed in and grabbed Daniel and the woman, pulling them to safety.

"We're out there doing what we're supposed to be doing every day," said Daniel, a rookie who started patrol in April. "It's cool to get out there and have a positive impact in the community. That means more to me than getting this award."

The rescue was just one of several examples of brave and quick-thinking officers acting outside their own self-interest, Standridge said. Other recognition handed out Wednesday included several presentations of the Life Saving Bar, which is awarded to police and civilians who are directly responsible for saving a human life.

Standridge said these commendations are determined by the meritorious conduct review board, which sends them to his office for review. If he and other supervisors agree with the board's vote, the commendation is awarded.

Also recognized Wednesday were a pair of officers who rescued an unconscious motorist whose vehicle caught fire in November; an officer who applied a tourniquet to prevent further bleeding from a laceration in May; and a pair of men — an officer and a civilian — who came across a man hanging by the neck from an extension cord in a garage.

"I will say that the man eventually passed away," Standridge said. "But the two men were able to resuscitate him long enough that medical personnel were able to save his organs, and we've been told four different people have received them as donations. And if that's not saving lives, I don't know what is."

APD also recognized 61 officers on Wednesday for their participation in the fitness program. One of those recognized, motorcycle patrolman Mike Ricker, also was singled out for his perfect attendance over 35 years.

Ricker said he has bought into the fitness program, dropping 60 pounds to his current 195 pounds since having some medical problems five years ago.

"Hypertension ... and diabetes were in my future, my doctor told me," Ricker said. "I was tired of living my life like that. I've developed a love for running. It's where I do my best thinking."

Assistant Chief Doug Wrenn said the Abilene Police Department, which has expanded its fitness program in the past five years, will host the Police Games in 2019.

It's the first time the city will host the games since 2004, Wrenn said.