Two Monmouth police officers have been recognized for their actions in the aftermath of a fiery crash earlier this year that started with a police pursuit in southeast Iowa.
Sgt. Brian Hall received the Life Saving Award and Lt. Brandon Blackman was awarded the Medal of Valor from the police department.
“This will be the first time that I’m aware of in Monmouth Police Department history that a Medal of Valor has been given out,” said Chief Joe Switzer at Monday’s city council meeting.
The pursuit on Feb. 13 began in West Burlington and crossed into Illinois, ending in a multi-vehicle crash at U.S. Route 34 and Illinois Route 164 on the west side of Monmouth.
The suspect’s Nissan Murano hit a semi-truck, which then struck a Ford F-150.
The Warren County Sheriff’s Department and Monmouth Police Department were not involved in the pursuit, but both agencies responded to the crash, along with the Monmouth Fire Department and EMS.
“On arrival, officers observed the suspect’s vehicle was on fire and the driver was trapped in the vehicle,” Switzer said.
Hall then used a fire extinguisher on the suspect’s vehicle, while Blackman and a Warren County Sheriff’s Deputy reached across the passenger side of the burning vehicle to rescue the driver.
Switzer said Hall showed great initiative in suppressing the fire, while Blackman and the deputy acted with great courage amid the risk of great bodily harm to themselves.
“Video of the scene showed that both Sgt. Hall and Lt. Blackman did not hesitate in the actions to save the life of the trapped driver of the vehicle,” Switzer said. “The officers’ professionalism reflects greatly upon themselves, the Monmouth Police Department, and the city of Monmouth.”
Switzer said recommendations for police department awards go before a committee of peers.
