Two Ellijay police officers were recognized for their lifesaving efforts in the line of duty as the Ellijay City Council met Monday, Feb. 20.
Officers Kaleb Hensley and Brian Stafford were recognized with certificates and uniform ribbon medals presented by Chief Edward Lacey, as well as a a special proclamation from Mayor Al Hoyle.
At the city council workshop, Lacey pinned the medals on each officer’s uniform while explaining the circumstances behind the lifesaving awards. Per the proclamation, it’s the highest honor that can be bestowed upon an individual, either affiliated or not affiliated with the police department, who performs a lifesaving act under extraordinary circumstances.
“It was a special set of circumstances,” said Lacey about a call the officers responded to in the early morning hours of Oct. 10, 2022.
“At approximately 0243 hours, the Ellijay Police Department received notification of a medical emergency at Pilgrim’s (poultry plant). Officer Stafford and Officer Hensley responded and were the first to arrive,” he continued.
When arriving at the chicken plant, the officers were led to an unresponsive employee. After checking for, but finding no vital signs, Hensley and Stafford quickly proceeded to use CPR and an automatic electronic defibrillator (AED) on the man, Lacey noted.
“Officer Stafford applied the AED pads and utilized the machine to assess (the man’s) vital signs and status. The machine readout advised that shock was needed, which Officer Stafford administered. The machine then reassessed and reported CPR should resume as the machine recharged. Officer Hensley resumed CPR and once the AED recharged, it reported a second shock was needed, which was administered,” Lacey added. “The AED advised that CPR was again required as the machine recharged.The officers swapped positions, and Officer Hensley searched for a CPR mask to assist with rescue breaths, while Officer Stafford conducted CPR.”
After Gilmer County Fire and Rescue arrived on scene and relieved Hensley and Stafford, the officers learned that the man, Lamar Brown, 63, had regained a pulse and resumed breathing before being transported to a hospital, noted Lacey.
Both officers are relatively new additions to the Ellijay Police Department, both having been employed there since 2022.
Hensley, who’s been with the EPD since January of last year, graduated from the police academy in March 2022. He’s worked as a non-probationary officer since completing the department’s 14-week field training program.
Stafford, a former Marine, is in his eighth year as a police officer. He previously worked for the Lakeland Police Department and Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, both in Florida. He began working with the EPD last September after obtaining his Georgia Peace Officer certification.
Freddie McCollum, Pilgrims Ellijay safety manager, said the following about the officers’ response to the medical emergency:
“We had an employee that had some medical concerns. First responders were contacted, and came onsite and evaluated and assisted this employee. We appreciate everything our first responders do. They’re a staple to our community, and we appreciate everything they do, both the police and fire departments.”
McCollum could not comment on anything else related to the call.