Local public safety officers have been honored as The Rotary Clubs of Texarkana's 40th annual Public Safety Officers of the Year.
There was no lunch or ceremony this year as a result of COVID-19 precautions, but officers received plaques and gifts from the local Rotary Clubs.
Each local police and fire department submitted the names of at least one officer who they believed deserved the distinction of an officer of the year
Texarkana Rotary Clubs Public Safety Officers of the Year for 2020:
Texarkana Texas Fire Department Driver/Engineer Lucas Shelton
Shelton is an 18-year veteran of the Texarkana Fire Department and has several certifications including advanced structure firefighter, driver/operator, wildland firefighter, fire inspector, fire officer, fire Instructor, hazardous materials technician and emergency medical technician.
Shelton is being recognized for his actions during the fire at First Baptist Church on Moores Lane in March.
When the first units arrived on scene, only a small amount of smoke was visible from the outside. Once inside, it was obvious they had a working fire on the second floor of the sanctuary. Units began attacking the fire, which had spread to several rooms. Firefighters from Quint 5 (Lucas' company) were making progress when one of them heard a low-air alarm begin sounding. The firefighter began to exit the building but ran out of air at the top of the stairwell. He became disoriented and started going in the wrong direction from the exit. Lucas realized the firefighter was confused, so he grabbed him and carried him out of the building. Two other firefighters also depleted their air supplies before exiting the building, but they were able to get out on their own.
Texarkana Texas Police Department Detective Tabitha Smith
Smith has worked for the TTPD for almost 14 years. During that time, she has worked as a patrol officer, member of the special investigation unit, juvenile detective and now as a detective assigned to handle crimes against persons. She has been awarded the Certificate of Merit on two occasions, recognized as officer of the quarter earlier this year and has received many letters of commendations.
Now assigned to the Investigative Services section, she primarily handles sexual assault cases. Her passion for providing justice for these victims is evident to everyone with whom she has contact. She is known as an advocate for those victims who may feel that they don't have a voice in the criminal justice system.
Earlier this year, Smith became aware of allegations of molestation and sexual assaults upon children involving a local church pastor over the course of 20 years. Over the next several weeks, she compiled a case that ultimately resulted in him being arrested. The outcome of the jury trial, a direct result of her hard work and dedication to justice, resulted in one of the most severe jury punishment verdicts ever handed down in Bowie County. Convicted of 16 sexual assault charges involving children in July, he was sentenced to five life sentences plus 220 years.
The Texarkana Arkansas Fire Department Engineer Josh Moore, Firefighter Rodney Watkins and Firefighter Clark Hicks
Moore has been with the department four years. Watkins has been with the department 20 years and Hicks joined in 2019. On April 24, Engine 3 received an alarm for a motor-vehicle accident involving a pedestrian near the intersection of Prospect and Euclid streets. A juvenile had been crossing the street on his bicycle and was struck by two vehicles. The child did not have a pulse and the firefighters did CPR until LifeNet arrived. The child survived the accident.
Texarkana Arkansas Police Department Cpl. Randy McAdams
On April 24, McAdams responded to an accident involving a child hit by a car. McAdams started CPR on the unresponsive child who did not have a pulse. He continued giving CPR until firefighters and EMS arrived. The child survived the accident.
Miller County Sheriff's Office Sgt. Wesley Penny
On June 24, Penny responded to a residence in Miller County regarding an unconscious adult male. EMS personnel arrived almost simultaneously and began CPR. Because the life-saving measures went on for a considerable period of time, Penny rotated through the exhaustive CPR regimen, which included both chest compressions and ventilation, with EMS workers. After approximately 30 minutes of continuous emergency treatment, a pulse was detected and he was transported to a local hospital.
Based on the information presented to the Meritorious Awards Committee, they found that on June 24, Penny acted in accordance with his training, and without hesitation performed life-saving measures.
Bowie County Sheriff's Office Lt. Rob Hadaway
Hadaway has been with the department since August of 2004.
From Oct. 1, 2019, through Aug. 27, Hadaway has researched, located and arrested 30 wanted felons. Hadaway has made 36 self-initiated felony drug arrests as well as 11 other felony arrests including for burglary, aggravated assault, and stolen vehicles. This is in addition to answering calls for service, questions from subordinates and scheduling manpower as needed
Texas Department of Public Safety Trooper Jonathon Baldwin
Baldwin has been with DPS for seven years. In March, Baldwin made a routine traffic stop on Interstate 30. Two juveniles were in the vehicle and Baldwin recognized inconsistencies in their stories and believed they were at-risk children. He learned through investigating that the juveniles' parents believed they were at school in Dallas. The juveniles said they wanted to drive to New York but only made it 200 miles. Another time, in May, he was approached at an accident scene by a friend of one of the people involved. The person was concerned about a boy who was not present at the accident scene. Baldwin was able to locate the child, who had been abandoned at a residence the previous day.
Arkansas State Police Cpl. Kyle Jones
In July of 2019, Jones responded to a requestb for assistance with a school bus that was stranded due to flooding north of Dierks, Arkansas. Other officers responded but Jones was closest to the bus because police from Dierks could not make it as they were hampered by a flooded creek. Closer to the scene, Jones realized he could not approach the bus with his vehicle and had to return home for his truck and a kayak with life jackets. During this time, Jones' supervisor had no radio or cellphone because of the flood and had to wait to find out if Jones had made it to the bus. The occupants of the bus saw him approaching and were able to open the rear door for him. A fire truck from Umpire eventually reached the bus and Jones was able to help people from the top of the bus onto the fire truck. Jones' supervisors say he is the true definition of a hero and lifesaver.