Salem Police officers recognized for heroics in the line of duty

Ben Botkin
Statesman Journal

They stop strangers from committing suicide. They respond to people overdosing on heroin. They show restraint when their squad cars get rammed. 

Sometimes, their stories are already familiar, like Salem Police Officer Michelle Pratt, who was shot four times during a traffic stop on May 14.

But more often, their work is not publicized.

Nearly 50 officers were recognized on Friday during the Salem Police Department's 2019 awards and promotions ceremony, held at Salem Public Library.

Salem Police Chief Jerry Moore said the event and recognition the officers received is a reflection of the life-saving work they do that doesn't always make headlines.

"Often, the only people that know about it are the officers involved and the person who's still alive because of their actions," Moore said. 

Shot four times

Police officers and others in the audience rose to their feet to give Pratt a standing ovation as she walked onto the stage and as she was awarded a Purple Heart.

Pratt was shot four times after she pulled over a silver 2004 Chevy Venture minivan about 8:30 p.m. on May 14.

She had requested a backup unit when a passenger exited the van. Within moments, the officer was at point-blank range at the driver's door and as she retreated to her patrol car.

She was hit in the shoulder, once in each leg and once in the back. Her ballistic vest stopped the round fired at her back.

She called dispatch, reporting the direction of the fleeing van, asked for medics and then applied a tourniquet to her leg.

Her calm composure drew praise after the shooting from the police chief who praised Pratt for her "professionalism and courage." 

Traffic stops:Salem officer shooting shows 'There's no such thing as a routine traffic stop'

Saving lives

Other awards and recognition gave a glimpse into the unpredictable work police officers face.

Officer Sonia Lawrence and her field training officer, Senior Officer Erick Hernandez responded in November 2017 to a drug overdose at the Fred Meyers on Broadway St. NE. A man was lying on the bathroom floor unconscious and barely breathing. 

Under Hernandez's directions and before medics arrived, Lawrence successfully administered two doses of Naloxone, a heroin antidote that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. The man recovered at Salem Health. 

Cpl. Andrew Connolly, right, is recognized for both the Purple Heart and the Medal of Honor by Chief Jerry Moore during the Salem Police Department Awards and Promotions Ceremony in the Loucks Auditorium at the Salem Public Library on June 7, 2019.

Detective Scott Emmons, at the request of Oregon State Police, helped narrow the search area near Diamond Lake near Roseburg in June 2018 for a missing motorcyclist on a cross-country trip. 

Search and rescue personnel found the motorcyclist, who had apparently suffered a stroke on May 28, 2018, and was stuck at his campsite for days. He had run out of water and was within hours of dying. 

Officer Zack Merritt was lauded for stopping a man contemplating suicide on the Center Street Bridge in July 2018. 

The man told Merritt he was going to jump and kill himself, but Merritt asked him questions, got him talking and convinced him to give life a chance and get help. 

K-9 Officer Enzo is recognized for ten years of service to the Salem Police upon his retirement during the Salem Police Department Awards and Promotions Ceremony in the Loucks Auditorium at the Salem Public Library on June 7, 2019.

In April, Senior Officer Lynn Renz saved the life of a man who was unconscious and not breathing after overdosing on alcohol. Renz performed about 30 chest compressions and the man gasped for air and was faintly breathing when medics arrived.

Three officers — Sabrina Hunter, David Baker and Joshua Buker — successfully treated an unconscious man with CPR and Naloxone. The man later told medics he had intentionally overdosed on heroin.

Cpl. Kristy Fitzpatrick and Officer Jeff Lucenti,  responded in April to a suicidal veteran in a Center Street parking lot. The man told officers that life on the streets was overwhelming him. Instead of dropping him off at the emergency room, Fitzpatrick took the time to call the Veterans Affairs office and was able to get him admitted for treatment right away. 

'Suicide by cop' thwarted

Eight officers were recognized for their role in responding to and subduing the driver of a 35-foot recreational vehicle who rammed the squad car of Cpl. Andrew Connolly and sped off in January 2018. Connolly sustained a concussion, facial injuries and knee injuries in the crash.

All the officers played a role in responding to the RV driver, who was apparently attempting "suicide by cop," according to the narrative police read at the ceremony. 

The RV driver returned to the scene and a second police officer, Cpl. Mark Seyfried, tried to block the vehicle with his patrol vehicle. Five other officers, including Connolly, raced toward the RV in an attempt to stop the driver. Connolly also told medics to leave the area for safety. 

A Salem Police patrol car rests against a plank of wood following an officer-involved shooting on Hawthorne Ave NE at Market St. NE in Salem on  Saturday, Jan. 27, 2018. There were damaged patrol cars at the three crime scenes related to the shooting.

Connolly received a purple heart and medal of honor.

Seyfried, who broke his wrist and injured his knee as he got out of his vehicle as it was being hit, also was awarded a purple heart, and a medal of valor.

Connolly and Cpl. Kristy Fitzpatrick ran to help Seyfried and pulled him away from the vehicle.

Distinguished service awards went to Sgt. James Welsh. Senior Officer Sean Bennett, Senior Officer Chad Galusha, Senior Officer Ryan Morris and Officer Albert Pence Hodges. 

Cpl. Kristy Fitzpatrick received a medal of valor. 

All played key roles. Morris, for example, followed the RV and gave updates for responding officers. Bennett deployed stop sticks to deflate the RV's tires. And Galusha tased the suspect after he exited the vehicle.

Ben Botkin covers Oregon state government. To support his work, subscribe to the Statesman Journal. You can reach him at bbotkin@StatesmanJournal.com, 503-399-6687 or follow him on Twitter @BenBotkin1