Three El Dorado Police Officers and one Sheriff Deputy received recognition during a February City Commission meeting for their work in two incidents in El Dorado.
The first incident was on Nov. 19. Officers had responded to a shooting on West Central Avenue, during which Sgt. John Thompson observed a vehicle on Central traveling 65 miles per hour in a 35 mile-per-hour zone. Sgt. Thompson initiated a traffic stop and called for assistance. The officers at the shooting responded to assist. The driver of the vehicle exited his vehicle and produced an AR-15 rifle and began confronting Sgt. Thompson. Sgt. Thompson and Sgt. Patrick Mc Murphy of the Butler County Sheriff’s Office and other officers contained the suspect, who was an acquaintance of the shooting suspect. Lt. John Stewart joined the efforts to assist taking the suspect into custody. When a taser had no effect on the suspect, who was wearing a bulletproof vest, the suspect confronted Lt. Stewart with the weapon. As the suspect turned away, Lt. Stewart tackled him from behind and they were able to take him into custody. The suspect was armed with a rifle, handgun, taser and pepper spray.
“While confronted with a very intense life and death situation, Sgt. Thompson, Sgt. Mc Murphy and Lt. Stewart displayed extreme restraint and were able to take the suspect into custody without further incident,” said Police Chief Mike Holton. “Due to their quick actions and teamwork, the officers’ actions likely saved the lives of each other, innocent by-standers and the suspect himself.” Due to their actions, Sgt. Thompson and Sgt.
Mc Murphy were presented with a Certificate of Commendation and Lt. Stewart was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal.
The second incident occurred on Jan. 4 when the El Dorado Police and Fire departments responded to a structure fire on West Fourth Avenue. Sgt. John Thompson and Officer Ethan Herrick were the first officers on the scene. Officer Herrick took the initiative to start evacuating the homes closest to the structure fire that were in danger of catching fire as well. He then began assisting the Fire Department by dragging hoses and securing the immediate area. At the same time, Sgt. Thompson was keeping neighbors and onlookers from getting too close, during which time he observed several small children who appeared to be scared and very emotional. Sgt. Thompson took the time to reassure them that they were safe. A citizen near the scene contacted the department to express their gratitude for the professionalism both officers displayed. They were presented with Certificates of Commendation.
“I want to thank you for the departments that you’ve both built and continue to build,” Mayor Bill Young told Police Chief Mike Holton and Butler County Sheriff Monty Hughey. “The collaboration and cooperation between the departments speaks very highly of the family of public service officers that we have in our community. I really appreciate both of you and the work you do.”