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Officers with the Homer Police Department were recognized by Chief Robert Pitman for their various actions during 2021.
The following officers were recognized and presented with awards:
Officer Michael Howell was presented the with the department’s Honorable Service Award for his actions on during the early morning hours January 14, 2021, after he observed an unoccupied vehicle parked several feet away from the curb on North Main St. He determined that the registered owner of the vehicle was a missing / vulnerable adult from the Oneida area. He alerted other police officers and after a search of the area the person was located. Despite the cold temperature, the person was in good health and reunited with his family.
Officer Charles Smiley and Cortland County Sheriff’s Sgt Paul Stillman were presented the department’s Meritorious Service Award for their actions on March 31, 2021, for assisting a person in crisis who was contemplating ending their own life. The officers’ calming and persuasive demeanor prevented a tragedy and the person obtained help.
Sgt Winchell was presented with the department’s Life Saving Award for saving a person’s life on April 4, 2021. The person was located unconscious and not breathing on the railroad tracks. Sgt Winchell determined the person suffered an opioid overdose and administered Naloxone, which revived the person, thereby saving a life.
Congratulations to the officers!
