Two members of the Smithfield Police Department received the department’s Life Saving Commendation Award for saving a man’s life earlier this year.
On September 1st, Officers James Barbour and Michael Jernigan were the first on the scene of a medical call reporting a 25 year-old man was unresponsive. They determined the man was not breathing and swift action was needed to save the person’s life.
The officers saw a family member was attempting to perform life saving measures without success. The officers started CPR on the victim and continued CPR until paramedics arrived on the scene.
Their quick response ultimately saved the man’s life and at last report he was still doing okay, according to Police Chief Keith Powell.
Police Captain J. Grady said, “The professionalism and compassion they displayed is not only a reflection of their dedication to public safety but a credit to the Police Department and the Town of Smithfield.”
Officer Barbour and Jernigan received the Commendation Award at the Nov. 14th meeting of the Smithfield Town Council.
Officer Barbour, a Clayton area resident, has been on the department since 2015. Officer Jernigan is originally from the Smithfield-Selma area. He served 10 years in the US Army before joining the department one year ago.
