Gaithersburg Police Officers Honored with Public Safety Awards

From the City of Gaithersburg: At its Public Safety Awards program at the Montgomery County Agricultural Center on Friday, July 14, 2017, the Gaithersburg-Germantown Chamber of Commerce recognized Officers John Davis and Michelle Kirk of the Gaithersburg Police Department for distinguished service. This annual awards program provides the business community with an opportunity to publicly thank those who help maintain the quality of life in the Gaithersburg and Germantown area. More than twenty public safety officials were recognized for their commitment and continued efforts preserving the public’s safety.

Gaithersburg Police Officers John Davis and Michelle Kirk were both presented with the Distinguished Service Citation for their responses to vicious animal complaints.

On September 5, 2016, Officer John Davis responded to a vicious animal complaint. At the time of his arrival, it was uncertain whether the dog had been restrained, and it had reportedly bitten several people in the residence. Officer Davis entered the home to find the primary victim bleeding profusely from his right leg and extensive injuries to his right arm, which included visible bone and missing fingers. He determined that the dog had been contained in a bathroom. Officer Davis quickly assessed the situation and applied the tourniquet he was carrying to the victim’s leg to stop the severe bleeding. Realizing that the victim was also bleeding heavily from the wounds to his right arm, he went back to his police vehicle to retrieve additional first aid supplies. Montgomery County Fire & Rescue Services arrived at the scene and stabilized the victim for transport to Suburban Hospital. A number of the medics on the scene took the time to compliment Officer Davis’s actions, including the decision to apply a tourniquet. They advised that it was the right decision and was properly applied.

Officer Davis was awarded the Distinguished Service Citation for his quick response, proper assessment and effective use of the tools available to him that may have made the difference between life and death for the victim.

On January 17, Officer Michelle Kirk responded to a vicious animal complaint. The victim had been severely bitten multiple times by a dog and the animal still had the victim cornered upon the Officer’s arrival. Officer Kirk entered the scene ready to exercise appropriate force in an effort to assist the victim. She took advantage of a momentary change in the dog’s demeanor to leash it and secure the animal in the prisoner cage of her police vehicle. Officer Kirk proceeded to render aid to the bite victim until Montgomery County Fire & Rescue Services arrived.

Officer Kirk was awarded the Distinguished Service Citation for her calm and decisive actions that prevented additional injury to the victim and any injury to other potential victims or officers until animal control could take custody of the dog.

The Gaithersburg Police Department is a nationally-accredited law enforcement agency that shares responsibility for services with the Montgomery County Police within the City of Gaithersburg. For more information please call 301-258-6400 or visit the City’s website at www.gaithersburgmd.gov.

Images via the City of Gaithersburg