From City Manager Report:
Chief
Greg Schwarber has announced the Officer of the month for March 2009 is
Officer Terry Ballinger. This is a peer recognition initiative designed
to bring attention to excellent work our Officers are performing. There
were 5 officers nominated for the month of March. Ballinger was
nominated and selected on the basis of an incident that happened
02-27-09.
On 02-27-09, at approximately 0327 hours, Officer
Ballinger responded to a house fire at 1304 Girard St. There were
visible flames in the northwest 2nd story of the house. Officer
Ballinger assisted getting an elderly wheelchair bound female from 2nd
floor of the house. The female suffered severe burns to the lower
portion of her body. Officer Ballinger then heard what he believed was
a cry for help coming the 2nd floor of the residence. Without
hesitation, Officer Ballinger went upstairs into the fire and smoke to
attempt to rescue the subject. Officer Ballinger, at one point, was
crawling on his stomach looking into rooms attempting to locate the
individual. Officer Ballinger eventually was driven back by the smoke
and fire and had to retreat. The rescue effort was turned over to
responding firefighters who immediately went in looking for any trapped
subjects. The subject from the 2nd floor was able to retreat down a
backstairs attached to the residence. All subjects got out of the
residence safely. Officer Ballinger showed great courage and
determination by placing himself in harms way to save another citizens
life. Officer Ballinger said he was just doing to his job. Officer
Ballinger displayed great valor in his actions this night.
Officer
Ballinger has been with the Middletown Division of Police for almost 2
years. He enjoys camping and spending time with his family.
-------------
http://www.johnbeagle.com/" rel="nofollow - John Beagle
Middletown USA
News of, for and by the people of Middletown, Ohio.
|