Local public safety personnel honored for life-saving actions

Madison firefighters Duane Clemons and Grayson Hope were honored for their life-saving actions.

HUNTSVILLE – The regional chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution honored local law enforcement and fire protection personnel in its annual Public Safety and Heroism Awards on Monday. Three Madison personnel were honored for their life-saving activities. They include police officer Ruby Jewell and firefighters Duane Clemons and Grayson Hope.

Officer Jewell saved the life of a student while acting as a School Resource Officer in the Madison City School System.  She administered chest compressions to a student without a pulse.  Three medical professionals indicated later that Officer Jewell saved the student’s life.  Officer Jewell later helped to raise money for the student’s family to defray some expenses as they traveled back and forth between Madison and special care at Vanderbilt.

The two Madison Firefighters , Clemons and Hope, entered a structure with substantial fire and heavy smoke to rescue a lady screaming for help inside the structure.  Although she spent several weeks in a burn unit at UAB, she survived.

Four deputies of the Madison County Sheriff’s Department were also honored for their outstanding service.  They are Amanda Mixon, Michael Williams, Jesse McKinney and John Blakly.

Deputy Amanda Mixon responded to and deescalated a situation with a person who was threatening to hurt himself or stage a “suicide by cop” incident.  In spite of the subject wielding a gun and shouting “shoot me,” Deputy Mixon, at extreme risk to her personal safety, convinced the person to put down the gun, get into an ambulance, and seek mental health counseling.  Her colleagues at the Sheriff’s Department view her actions as having “talked him off the ledge.”

Deputy Williams’ quick response and life-saving efforts at the scene of an automobile accident on U.S. Hwy 72 saved the life of a person until HEMSI arrived.

Another deputy, Jesse McKinney, has over 14 years in law enforcement and has made more than 60 arrests in drug and alcohol-related cases.  He has also served his community for many years as a Sergeant First Class in the National Guard.

Deputy Blakly was honored for his effective work as a School Resource Officer and his highly effective rapport with school students, teachers, and staff. He is currently assigned to the Moores Mill Intermediate School.