Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Awards Bravery, Dedication

February 13, 2015

The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office held its annual award ceremony Thursday during which several deputies will receive the Medal of Courage for rescues during the flooding and jail explosion last April.

Escambia County Jail employee Kelley Bradford was recognized with the Civilian Gold Medal of Honor, and Chris Hankinson was honored with the law enforcement Purple Heart. Hankinson was paralyzed as a result of the natural gas explosion, while Bradford is credited for saving his life.

“An explosion at the Escambia County Jail left Kelley fearing for her life, yet she was more concerned about the life of another. Seconds after the explosion, Kelley called out for her co-worker, but heard no response. When she finally found Detention  Deputy Christopher Hankinson, he was unable to move and lying in debris-filled  water that was beginning to fill a confined area. Kelley entered the water, grabbed his head and struggled to keep it above the water as she waited for help,” Sheriff David Morgan said. “Anxious seconds turned into minutes and minutes turned into nearly an hour. She fought to ensure his survival even as her strength nearly gave out. She was determined to do whatever it took to save his life. Forty-five minutes later ,firefighters arrived and pulled the two to safety.”

“This was just the beginning of some challenging days for Detention Deputy Chris  Hankinson, whose life was changed forever. He received paralyzing injuries and had to leave his job at the jail to undergo therapy,” Morgan addded

Also Thursday, other awards were presented as promotions recognized as follows:

Awards

NCIS Special Agent Richard Campbell received the Civilian Service Medal and Deputy John Rose received a Life Saving Medal for using an AED and CPR to save the life of a heart attack victim who was able to fully recover.

Senior Deputy Terry Hammock received the Life Saving Medal for rescuing a child that trapped under a heavy box at an apartment on Nine Mile Road on July 12, 2014. Hammock starting lifesaving techniques on the child, who was blue in the face an not breathing. He begin CPR, and EMS was able to revive the child.

Kimberly Lawson was named Law Enforcement Employee of the Year for her efforts during her nine year employment.

Deputy Richard Durant was awarded the Medal of Courage and Deputy 1st Class Jason Donnelly was named Law Enforcement Officer of the Year. Durant and Donnelly rescuing two people trapped in rising floodwaters at a bridge on Lillian Highway.

Medals of Courage were awarded to a group of deputies for saving many lives following April’s historic flooding and for entering the Escambia County Jail to perform rescues shortly after an explosion tore through the facility. Medal of Courage recipients were: Sgt. Patrick Frazier Jr.,  Sgt. Curtis Cephas, Deputy Ken Holyfield, Lt. Mindy Von Ansbach Young,  Deputy Michael Williams,  Deputy Casey Whitlock, Lt. Lisa Dixon, Deputy Bryan Barton,  Deputy Richard Durant, Deputy Jeremiah Meeks, and Deputy Mildred Smallwood.

Promotions

  • From Lt. to 1st Lt. Roderick Custer, Jr.
  • From Senior Deputy to Sgt. Larry Crossley II
  • From Senior Deputy to Sgt. Jeffrey Swanson
  • From Senior Deputy to Sgt. Johnathan Mashburn
  • From Deputy 1st Class to Sgt. Delarian Wiggins

Longevity Awards

20 years

  • Debra Berry-Girdner
  • Lt. Darrell Allday
  • Lt. Richard Baily
  • Sgt. Phillip Nix
  • Master Deputy Terry Brunson
  • 1st Lt. Mark Jackson

25 years

  • Kenneth Simmons
  • Lafe (Layfe) Highfill
  • Debra Lattimer
  • Cynthia Broughton


30 years

Lisa Caballero

Pictured top: Purple Heart recipient Detention Deputy Chris Hankinson and Civilian Medal of Honor recipient Kelley Bradford with Sheriff David Morgan. Pictured below:   Some of the ECSO Medals of Courage recipients. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Comments

5 Responses to “Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Awards Bravery, Dedication”

  1. EMD on February 14th, 2015 9:30 am

    Thank you who put your life on the line to protect our lives and to protect one another. God bless you.

  2. cjmac on February 14th, 2015 8:05 am

    Congratulations to all our hero’s.

  3. Jennifer & Dean Hull on February 13th, 2015 10:43 am

    Congratulations Chris . You are truely an inspiration to many. You fault and never let anything get in your way. Love ya

  4. No Excuses on February 13th, 2015 9:40 am

    Congratulations to all!

  5. Bill M. on February 13th, 2015 8:00 am

    Great job Kelley! To hold on to your paralyzed co-worker in the flood waters and keep him from drowning is a wonderful act of heroism.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News