Two Baldwin police officers received lifesaving awards during Baldwin’s council meeting Monday night. Baldwin Police Chief Chris Jones presented the awards to the two officers at the beginning of the meeting.
Jones told the council that in law enforcement, officers receive complaints and they work complaints. “Rarely do we get to give commendations in law enforcement,” he said. He added that the police department and the city had great employees.
April 28 incident
The first incident that resulted in an officer receiving a commendation occurred on April 28, 2024. Cornelia Police Department was dispatched to a domestic dispute in Cornelia. Corporal John Groves assisted the Cornelia officer with the call.
Upon arriving at the scene, the officers discovered a man had overdosed on an illegal substance. Groves ran back to his patrol vehicle and retrieved his NARCAN kit and returned to the scene. He then administered the NARCAN to the man resulting in saving his life.
“For that, we would like to give a life-saving award to Corporal Groves,” Jones told the council.
July 1 incident
According to Jones, the next incident resulted in a life saved due to training and being equipped properly.
Several months ago, the Baldwin Police Department received a grant to purchase tactical medical bags for all of the police officers to keep in their vehicles. The tactical medical bag is equipped above and beyond a typical first aid kit. It is equipped to handle injuries that a soldier would receive in combat.
Recently, officers received training from Captain Justin Ferguson on tactical combat care, utilizing the equipment in the tactical medical bags.
The second incident occurred on July 1, 2024. Alto Police Department was dispatched to a suicide threat in their town. Corporal Aaron Spivey from Baldwin Police Department responded to the call to provide assistance.
Upon arrival, officers discovered a man who had a severe laceration. “Corporal Spivey kicked into action,” Jones said. Spivey ran to his vehicle and retrieved his tactical medical bag. According to Jones, Spivey used his recent training and packed the laceration with combat gauze and saved the man’s life.
“I would like to give this life-saving award to Corporal Spivey,” Jones said.
Spivey took a moment to explain to the council what happened during that incident and shared the commendation with the other officers on the scene.
The incident occurred during shift change. It was Officer Logan Ivester’s first shift going through field training as a new Baldwin police officer with Spivey. Since it was during shift change, Officer John Gardner and Groves were also on duty and responded to the call as well.
“I may have been the one who packed his wound, but I couldn’t have done it without my guys,” Spivey said. He explained that Ivester assisted him in treating the man while Gardner and Groves secured the residence and retrieved the weapon. “I couldn’t have done this without their help,” Spivey said.
“On behalf of the city, thank you for all you do,” Mayor Stephanie Almagno said.
