Shenandoah Police Respond to a Near Drowning By Detective Sgt. Mark Denham, SPD Asst. PIO
PRESS RELEASE
At approximately 7:30 PM, Shenandoah Police Department (SPD) responded to a 911 Emergency call to 606 Blue Ridge in the City of Shenandoah, concerning a near drowning of a four year old girl. The child and her family were visiting from Sugarland; the guests were enjoying a pool party with many other children.
After the children were removed from the pool and getting ready for a meal, the father of the four year old, Justin Beam, noticed that his daughter was missing. He immediately searched the pool area and located the girl who had returned to the water. As he approached, he realized she was no longer moving. Mr. Beam reacted at once by reaching his child and administering CPR. Swift actions of the father ultimately saved his daughter’s life.
Shenandoah Police Department Officers Joseph Peart and Joel Gordon arrived at the scene to render aid. Early last year, Chief John Chancellor identified the need to provide basic medical training to all officers; hence, the Shenandoah Police Department initiated mandatory Emergency Medical First Responder training. To date, all officers have received training and few of them have earned a more advanced Emergency Medical Technician certification. Therefore, when Officers Peart and Gordon arrived at the scene, they were both able to instantaneously administer oxygen while awaiting the arrival of Montgomery County Hospital District and Needham Fire and Rescue units. When the child was stabilized, Medic 82 ambulance transported her to The Woodlands Memorial Hermann from where she was transferred to Life Flight 7 medical helicopter and flown to Children’s Memorial Hermann in Houston.
According to our latest reports the girl is recovering well. Shenandoah Police Department wants to commend the father for his vigilance, swift reaction, and knowledge of the CPR; let’s be reminded to remain watchful over the children water activities during the summer months. We are thankful that a tragedy was averted this evening in our city.
