Public Safety officers honored for heroism

Two of Georgia College’s Public Safety officers—Sergeant Brain English and officer Jamaal Hicks—were recently awarded and recognized for heroism in the line of duty.

The university was closed Jan. 10 and 11 due to severe weather conditions. During this time, students joined in cold weather activities outdoors. Some students pulled out their trash can lids, cardboard box tops, and sleds to play in the snow at Banner Park. The ice made the situation treacherous, causing one student to have an accident.

English and Hicks responded to the situation when a Georgia College student flew off a sled and landed wrong. On Jan. 10, the two officers were on a routine patrol around campus. English and Hicks were in one of the Georgia College golf carts instead of their usual vehicles due to the inclement weather. The golf cart has four-wheel drive which proved to be very useful on the icy terrain.

The two saw the student fly off the end of the sled, English and Hicks immediately alerted EMS personnel and worked to keep the girl stable and not move her while waiting for the ambulance to arrive. Due to the inclement weather and rough road conditions, the ambulance response took longer than usual so English and Hicks wrapped the girl in their coats and made conversation with her to help calm her nerves. In a traumatizing situation, the officers retained control of the situation keeping it calm and collected and kept the accident from escalating.

After EMS arrived and took the girl to the hospital, English and Hicks continued with their routine patrol.

In addition to these two officers, Evan Karanovich, a junior from Douglasville, Ga, saw the accident and arrived quickly onto the scene.

“I am certain that if it was not for the decisive actions of both officers, things could have been much worse,” Karanovich said.

English has worked for the Georgia College department of Public Safety for six years. He intended to use this position as a stepping-stone, but has chosen to continue to stay here.

“I love my job. They will have to run me off,” English said.

Officer Hicks has been with Georgia College for four years. He, like English, also intended to use this job as a stepping-stone, but changed his mind after realizing how much he liked his job.

“Situations like the helping the girl in the sledding accident are more rewarding than anything,” said Hicks. “The best part is actually getting to help people.”

Hicks and English received an achievement medal recognizing their heroism. This service ribbon is the first of its kind to be given out to any Georgia College Public Safety officer. The Georgia College police policy manual has also been redone to encourage rewards for great service more frequently.

Posted by Brooks McAlister on Feb 3 2011. Filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.