Libby and Mayor Paul Bond presented officers David Hensley and Josh Hatch with awards for life-saving actions.
Libby said on Sept. 7, Hatch’s second day on the job, he helped save the life of a suicidal individual running on the I-45 to Hwy. 242 flyover with the intention of jumping off. Hatch jumped over the barrier at the edge and pulled the individual to safety.
Before coming to Oak Ridge North, Hatch served as a police officer in Jackson, Tennessee.
“Officer Hatch exited the vehicle—he grabbed the gentleman pulling back over the wall, totally disregarding his own safety,” Libby said. “There's so many things that go through your mind on what could have happened that day. But we're very fortunate to have Officer Hatch.”
Hensley responded to a call Sept. 1 for an individual who had a medical emergency while driving. Libby said Hensley immediately started chest compressions, and medics were able to re-establish a heartbeat before the individual was transported to a hospital for treatment, but the patient ultimately died.
“The fire department arrived on scene, took over the life-saving efforts, and they commented afterwards that had it not been for Officer Hensley’s police actions, the gentleman may have passed away right there,” Libby said. “But Officer Hensley did give the gentleman a fighting chance of survival.”
Christopher Nichols of The Nichols Firm was also given an award for his service as the city’s attorney—a position he has held since 2013, when the position was created. Even prior to the position’s official creation, Nichols represented the city when an attorney was needed.
Nichols will be replaced by Brandon Morris from the Randle Law Office. Nichols was an attorney for the firm until he began his own firm in 2016.
“He’s a friend of mine, and he's always been there if I have to ask a question or something to him. He's always answered the call. He's even called me a few times while he’s been on vacation when he probably didn't need to or have to,” Libby said.
The city’s next council meeting will be on Sept. 26 at 7 p.m.
