In advance of National First Responders Day on Oct. 28, the Collinsville City Council recognized some of the city’s finest at Monday night’s council meeting.
Members of the Volunteer Fire Department and Police Department were honored as “Lifesavers” after a medical incident in the city that occurred back in the spring.
Police Chief Jeff Ashabranner presented Officer Kelleigh Colton with the Lifesaver Award for her swift actions at a May 15, 2024 medical call.
According to Ashabranner, Colton responded to a 9-1-1 call about a 36-year-old woman who was unresponsive.
Colton initiated and maintained CPR for two and a half minutes before other first responders arrived.
“Anyone who has ever performed CPR by themselves can tell you that two and a half minutes is a lifetime,” Ashabranner said. “It is hard work.”
Colton was joined by members of the Collinsville Volunteer Fire Department (CVFD) and later a crew from Whitesboro EMS.
The team continued CPR while the patient was transported to TMC-Denison.
“In the end, Officer Colton’s swift response saved the woman’s life,” Ashabranner said.
“Captain Espinoza assessed the patient, finding a faint pulse with no breath sounds, which meant the patient was not breathing,” Fire Chief Damon Stewart said about the incident. “…Captain Hatton arrived on scene and assisted with CPR. CFD personnel continued CPR for approximately 10 minutes… Captain Espinoza rode in with an ambulance to assist that unit with patient care.”
Stewart lauded the work of the entire crew.
“The department would like to recognize all the first responders that were involved in the life-saving measures and quick actions that ultimately saved a local woman’s life. If not for the swift response and actions taken by all the first responders involved, her life may have been lost that very unfortunate day,” Stewart said.
After the Lifesavers were recognized, Police Chief Ashabranner presented more awards to members of his department.
Officer Jonathan Willis received a Traffic Enforcement Award. and Officer Christopher Black was named Officer of the Year.
“Traffic Enforcement Award recognizes an officer for their sustained leadership in improving highway safety,” Ashabranner said. “Traffic enforcement plays a key role in police agency as it reduces crashes, prevents crime and reduces harm to people and property.”
According to the Chief, aggressive traffic enforcement brings increased officer presence throughout the city.
“Officer Willis has done an outstanding job in traffic enforcement for the City of Collinsville,” Ashabranner said. “In the past two years, Officer Willis has conducted over 1,200 traffic stops… The majority of Officer Willis’s traffic stops are for moving violations such as speed and stop signs. His method of policing deters crime and creates safe, more peaceful neighborhoods.”
The Chief then cited his top officer of the year.
“Choosing the Officer of the Year was not an easy process,” he said. “Several factors come into play for this choice.” According to Ashabranner, Lieutenant Cheshire documented the officers’ activity throughout the year.
This included self-initiated activity as well as calls generated.
“Lieutenant Cheshire, the city administrator, and myself reviewed and compared both officers’ activities, strengths, weaknesses, dependability and overall job performance,” the Chief said. “This was an extremely difficult choice to make. Both officers did an exemplary job… Black filed 21 felony cases, 13 class A and B cases and eight warrant arrests. Eleven of the felony cases were narcotics. Officer Black is dependable and always volunteers for extra assignments. He recently became a certified TECO instructor, an alert instructor, and firearms instructor for the department. This will give the department the ability to host surrounding agencies with training, with our in-house training.”
The council thanked each of the first responders who were honored as they all received tokens of appreciation from the city.
See biographies of the entire Collinsville Police Department in the “Honoring Our First Responders” supplement inside this issue of the News-Record.
