Five Kenton County police officers were presented with a Lifesaving Award — one of the department’s highest honors.
Kenton County Police Chief Spike Jones, who presented the officers with their awards during a Dec. 10 fiscal court meeting, informed the legislative body of their heroic actions.
Officers Jacob Brown, Jason Deacon, Travis Bryson, Michael Whitford and Sergeant Charles Duncan responded to a single-vehicle collision near the Decoursey Pike and Alexander Road intersection in southern Kenton County on June 30. Upon arrival, they noticed two individuals who were ejected from a motorcycle and lying at the bottom of an embankment. Both individuals sustained critical injuries.
Immediately, the officers sprang into action by assessing the patients and then providing life-saving treatment. Jones said the responding officers placed tourniquets on the patients to seal open chest wounds, in-line stabilization for possible neck injuries, bleeding control and airway management.
They continued life-saving care even as paramedics from the Piner-Fiskburg Fire District and the Independence Fire Department arrived on the scene.
“Even after paramedics arrived on the scene, the officers continued to play an instrumental role in providing life-saving critical care until the patients were able to be transported up the embankment,” Jones said.
Fortunately, both patients were transported up the embankment and to the hospital. Jones said they have since recovered from their critical injuries. The patients were both present in the audience to witness the officers receive their awards.
Jones read a statement published by Piner-Fiskburg Fire Chief Jason Schleue acknowledging the officer’s critical life-saving actions.
“There is no doubt in our mind that these officers greatly contributed to the overall care and thus the chain of survival these patients needed to reach the outcome they have today,” Schleue wrote.
After the awards presentation, Kenton County Judge/Executive Kris Knochelmann praised the officers, thanking them for their service to the county.
“I know we don’t really get you to say thank you enough, but please know we’re always here to support you, and all the times you don’t get the appreciation they deserve, we want to just acknowledge your great service,” he said.
