Two correctional officers with the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office were recognized and presented with Life Saving Awards from the Illinois Fraternal Order of Police for their on-duty actions in saving the life of a detainee who attempted suicide last month.
In a news release from the FOP, correctional officers Trever Kelley and Doug Gohde discovered a 43-year-old woman attempting to commit suicide by hanging on August 13.
The two discovered her and immediately cut her down. She was unresponsive and not breathing, to which Kelley started CPR and resuscitated her prior to the arrival of emergency medical help.
The woman was transported to Graham Hosptial in Canton and later in the evening was returned to the jail in Lewistown.
The FOP says that the immediate actions by officers Kelley and Gohde are credited with saving the woman’s life.
“A tragic death was prevented by the quick and decisive actions of these two dedicated Fulton County correctional officers,” said FOP State Lodge Awards Chairman Jerry Lieb, who presented the award during an FOP Spoon River Valley Lodge 427 membership meeting on September 1. “Their efforts embody the true meaning of the police motto, ‘to protect and serve.'”
During the awards ceremony on Wednesday, Fulton County Sheriff’s Deputy Troy Chisum, who was killed in the line of duty on June 25, 2019, was presented with an honorary FOP membership.
The Spoon River Valley FOP Lodge 427 was formed after Chisum was killed. Accepting the award on his behalf was Amanda, his wife, and his daughters Kyleigh and Gracie.
Also present were Sergeants Jon Webb and Matt Watters, who were on the scene when Deputy Chisum was murdered.
