Madison police officers earn awards for valor, live saving
On Sept. 24, 2016, Officer Matthew Kingsolver and Officer Bryce Taets responded to a suicide attempt by a 14-year-old at Bradford Health Services. They immediately recognized the nurses present at the scene were in panic, Police Chief David Jernigan said.
Kingsolver and Taets took over CPR duties and continued until medical personnel with Madison Fire & Rescue Department assumed lifesaving duties. A pulse was restored to the child before transfer to Huntsville Hospital for further treatment.
“The efforts of Officers Taets and Kingsolver directly contributed to the saving of this child’s life,” Jernigan said. Their heroic actions “were consistent with department policy to receive this recognition, as recommended by supervisor Lt. Clint Harrell.”
In other recognition, Officer David Templeton responded to a drowning call at a pool on Equestrian Lane on June 10, 2017. A five-year-old boy was “limp and lifeless when Templeton arrived,” Jernigan said.
The boy had blue lips and grayish skin color; water was pouring from his mouth. “Due to his previous training and past experiences, Templeton recognized the child’s lungs were full of water,” Jernigan said.
Templeton placed the child over his shoulder in a fireman-style carry position and began giving back blows to expel water from the boy’s mouth. While EMS medics were en route, Templeton continued back blows to expel water.
The boy started coughing, ultimately breathing on his own. Templeton handed him to medics who placed him in an ambulance for continued treatment. The boy opened his eyes and regained consciousness. “Responding medics said Officer Templeton’s efforts saved the young man’s life,” Jernigan said.
“Templeton’s ability to act under extreme stressful conditions exhibits high standards that all Madison police officers should strive to attain,” Jernigan said. Sgt. Jason Bolden, Templeton’s supervisor, recommended the award.
In addition, officers Josh Garlen and Joshua Collins received honorable mention recognition for the Alabama Statehouse Legislative Medal of Honor on March 8 in Montgomery. The award symbolizes their extraordinary courage in the line of duty.
“During the attempted pursuit and apprehension of a domestic violence offender, Collins and Garlen distinguished themselves among their peers for decisive action that ended an immediate threat to officers, general public and victim,” the resolution stated.
Collins arrived to find a distraught woman, crying hysterically in her driveway. The offender had stolen her money and truck.
Garlen responded to Collins’ radio transmission. “To defend himself from a violent assault with a truck and prevent further injury . . . Garlen drew his service weapon and fired four times through his windshield into the truck’s rear window … He successfully ended the assault,” the resolution stated.
