KEMP, Texas — Two members of the Texas Department of Public Safety’s (DPS) Aircraft Operations stationed in Mesquite, Texas, were recognized with Lifesaving Awards for their efforts locating and administering first aid to a missing elderly Kemp man last year.
KEMP, Texas — Two members of the Texas Department of Public Safety’s (DPS) Aircraft Operations stationed in Mesquite, Texas, were recognized with Lifesaving Awards for their efforts locating and administering first aid to a missing elderly Kemp man last year.
19 hours into the search operations for 92-year-old Arthur Akridge in Kemp, Texas, on December 24, 2016, which were hampered by weather conditions and dense fog, Tactical Flight Officer Saben Emery and Agent Pilot Kristopher Edgmon located Akridge from overhead in a DPS helicopter utilizing high-definition thermal imaging.
Akridge appeared to be stuck in a barbed-wire fence which prompted Edgmon and Emery to land nearby, free him from the fence, and administer first aid until an ambulance could arrive.
“Carrying out the department’s mission of protecting and serving Texans requires a cadre of outstanding employees who are devoted to safeguarding and helping their communities – and in many cases stepping in to save a life,” DPS Director Steven McCraw stated last month in presenting the awards.
The search efforts were aided by personnel from the Kemp Fire Department, Kaufman County Sheriff’s Office, Scurry Fire Department, Combine Fire Department, College Mound Fire Department, the Texas Game Wardens Office, and neighbors on horseback. The search area, which included dense wooded areas and several small bodies of water, was located near County Road (CR) 4072, CR 4131, and R and R Circle in the Kemp area of far southwest Kaufman County.
The American Red Cross of Kaufman County and CareFlite also responded to the scene during search efforts.
Also recognized last month by McCraw were:
• Trooper Jamie Liles, Highway Patrol in Conroe, and Trooper Roggan Stanzel, Highway Patrol in Wallisville, each received the Javier Arana Jr. Top Trooper Award, given every year to the top female and male competitors. Liles and Stanzel competed against other DPS Highway Patrol Troopers during the Top Trooper Competition.
The Top Trooper Competition was established in 2012 to recognize outstanding Troopers and to test participants on their physical conditioning, shooting proficiency, driving skills and job knowledge. The award was named in honor of Trooper Javier Arana Jr., who was killed in the line of duty in 2012. Trooper Arana’s family was present today for the announcement of this year’s awards.
• Trooper Chad Blackburn, Highway Patrol in Webster, received a Purple Heart. While working patrol on Sept. 5, 2016, Blackburn returned to his vehicle after stopping a motorist. While seated in his car, Blackburn’s patrol unit was struck by another car operated by an intoxicated driver. As a result, Blackburn sustained life-threatening injuries and continues to recover today.
• Staff Sgt. Earl “Dub” Gillum, Texas Highway Patrol in Granbury, received a Lifesaving Award. On Oct. 5, 2016, Gillum was returning to his duty station when he noticed a stranded motorist with a flat tire. Upon contact with the driver, Gillum noticed he looked unwell and advised him to remain in the vehicle while Gillum changed the tire. After a short time, the driver called out in pain and collapsed in convulsions. Gillum called for EMS and began first aid on the man, who was ultimately transported to a medical center for treatment.
• Major Bryan Rippee, Texas Highway Patrol in Lubbock, received a Lifesaving Award. On Dec. 5, 2016, while off duty having dinner with fellow DPS employees, Rippee realized that a coworker was choking on food. In response, Rippee applied the Heimlich maneuver to the choking victim until the food became dislodged and the man was able to breathe again.
• Trooper Joe Salas, Highway Patrol in Anson, received a Lifesaving Award. On Sept. 20, 2016, Salas was on duty when he heard radio reports of a crash on I-20 in Merkel. When Salas arrived at the scene, he found a SUV on its side on the access road and an unresponsive female inside the vehicle. Salas subsequently cut through the seatbelt, which was restricting the woman’s breathing. He also fashioned a tourniquet to stop the bleeding on the victim’s injured arm.
• Crime Lab – Controlled Substance Section, in Austin, received a Unit Citation for its efforts to reduce a backlog of drug cases using current resources. By the end of 2016, the Controlled Substance Section had reduced the number of pending cases by 73 percent. Drew Fout, Hank Amen, Amy Arellano, Cassie Bilyeu, Katie Suttle, Jeff Keverline, Jose Martinez, Scott Ruplinger, and Diana Salas were all recognized as part of the citation.
