NOTE: THIS IS REPOSTED WITH VIDEO REPLACED AS WE WERE HAVING VIDEO QUALITY ISSUES.
2012 Firefighter Award Recipients
Rookie of the Year
Firefighter Cody Burrage – Splendora Fire Department
This young firefighter was honored as the Splendora Department’s Rookie of the Year and their medal of valor recipient for his brave and unselfish actions, while he was off-duty. Cody witnessed an RV leave the highway, cross a feeder road, crash and catch fire near a railroad track. Acting by himself, Cody broke a window on the RV, made contact with the driver, and risked his own life in an attempt to save him. Unfortunately, he was not able to save the individual, but Cody’s courageous actions were above and beyond the call of duty.
Rookie of the Year
Firefighter Michael Painter – Conroe Fire Department
Firefighter of the Year
Lieutenant John Turner – Conroe Fire Department
These firefighters arrived at a house fire where heavy fire and smoke conditions were consuming the residence. The arriving units were alerted of the possibility of someone being trapped in the inferno. Both Lt. Turner and Firefighter Painter entered the burning structure to conduct a search for victims. Within a matter of a few moments they found an unconscious person near a back bedroom. The duro were able to get the individual to safety where additional personnel began life saving procedures. This victim and another rescued by a Conroe Police Officer were transported to a local hospital. The heroic actions of these two firefighters are credited with saving the person’s life.
2012 Law Enforcement Award Recipients
Rookie of the Year
Trooper Christopher Cash – Texas Department of Public Safety
This young Texas Highway Patrol Trooper has led his assigned area in the art of interdiction. Trooper Cash’s seizure rate includes 20 incidents with the confiscation of over $750,000 in drugs and U.S. currency. He is constantly contacted by his fellow Troopers because of his innate ability in criminal interdiction, especially in assisting in the location of the most heavily concealed loads of illegal contraband.
Officer of the Year
Officer Jarod Caylon Sullivan – Conroe Police Department
Officer Sullivan was one of several Conroe Police Officers who responded to a disturbance call at a business, with weapons involved. The first officer to arrive observed a male suspect in possession of a shotgun. Efforts were made to communicate and de-escalate the situation. Other officers arrived, including Officer Sullivan and they began to position behind the first officer at the scene. The suspect then began pointing the shotgun and ultimately began firing at the officers. After seeing the suspect use deadly force toward the officers, Officer Sullivan fired his assigned rifle at the suspect and incapacitated him. Officer Sullivan’s supervisors commended him for his communication and preparation prior to arriving at the scene and for his actions which ended a very dangerous situation.
Officer of the Year
Officer Richard Anthony Cruz and Officer Raymond Adams – Conroe Police Department
Officers Cruz and Adams responded to a house fire where they found a home fully engulfed in flames. Witnesses advised them that there was a possibility that the residents were inside the burning home. Officer Adams forced his way into the front door of the home where both he and Officer Cruz were met by thick smoke. With little regard for their own safety, they crawled inside to search for occupants. They found a victim lying on the living room floor and were able to pull him to the front door where Officer Gabriel Gallegos took him to safety. By now, the Fire Department had arrived and firemen entering the home found and rescued the second occupant. The two officers put their own lives on the line to save the life of another person.
Officer of the Year
Officer Rocky Carrell – Sam Houston State University Police Department
Officer Carrell was close to signing off of his patrol shift when he heard a police radio report that a runaway vehicle was headed toward Huntsville, on a nearby highway, with both the accelerator and cruise control stuck. Officer Carrell headed in the direction of the vehicle and observed it headed towards an area where several highway intersections come together. He then maneuvered to position his patrol car directly in front of the runaway SUV. He then applied his brakes in an effort to slow it down by means of the runaway colliding with his unit. His first attempt was unsuccessful so he repeated the maneuver and was able to stay in contact with the runaway vehicle until both were able to come to a complete stop. Officer Carrell risked his own life to save the life of another.
Officer of the Year
Sergeant Charlie Allbright – Houston Police Department
While assigned as a Patrol Supervisor at Houston’s Intercontinental Airport, Sgt. Allbright observed the casket of a fallen soldier being transported back home. He noted that the family was not permitted to observe their fallen Hero being escorted from the belly of the plane, because it was a restricted area. Having compassion for the situation and also having a son currently serving in the U.S. Marine Corp, Sgt. Allbright took it upon himself to begin making changes. He has coordinated a plan to bring about the proper respect for our fallen heroes with the support of the Houston Police Motorcycle Division, the Houston Fire Department and the Patriot Guard Riders who all participate in brining honor to our fallen heroes. Sgt. Allbright initiated the necessary security arrangements to now have family members escorted to the aircraft where they can stand next to the honor guard that escorts the hero from the aircraft. Sgt. Allbright has perfected a plan, while also spending countless off-duty hours, to ensure that fallen soldiers are paid the due respect they deserve.
Editors Note: During the past several years Montgomery High School has taken many World War Two Veterans to Washington D.C. All of these trips departed from Houston Bush Airport. On each one of these trips Sgt. Allbright assisted not just in getting the busses in but helping the Veterans off, helping unload wheelchairs and going above and beyond.
