Officers Receive Commendation
On May 3, 2021 at approximately 1257 hours, Sergeant Crawford Gingrich came across a truck-tractor that had rolled onto its side against a jersey barrier on the exit ramp from state route 581. The driver, was trapped inside and had suffered a head injury and potentially a broken arm.
Recognizing the driver was unable to free himself, Sergeant Gingrich utilized his baton to remove the front windshield of the vehicle in order to extricate him. In doing so, Sergeant Gingrich sustained minor cuts. During that process, the vehicle caught fire, threatening the trapped driver so Sergeant Gingrich and a passing citizen utilized fire extinguishers to tamp down the fire which periodically would re-ignite.
After a period of time Officers Matthew Grunden and Shawn Fullerton arrived on scene and aided Sergeant Gingrich in controlling the fire, removing the windshield and safely extricating the driver from the vehicle.
Each of these officers took substantial actions above normal duty to not only control an emerging vehicle fire but to extricate a trapped and injured driver while doing so. Their quick and decisive action resulted in the driver being safely evacuated from the burning vehicle, thereby saving him from potentially more serious injuries.
The actions of Sergeant Gingrich, Officer Fullerton and Officer Grunden exemplify the actions our officers may be asked to perform while exposing themselves to potential risk of personal injury.Each of the Officer was presented with the Department Commendation ribbon and certificate.