Police Lt. Chris Neal, second from right, and Fire Capt. Chris Buchanan, second from left, received Life Saving Awards during the City Council meeting on Tuesday. Buchanan and Neal, along with Police Sgt. Steve Johnson, who was not present at the meeting, helped pull a man from Lee Lake last November. Also pictured are, from left, Deputy Fire Chief Jerry Berry, Mayor Dale Copeland, Vice Mayor Jim Curd and Police Chief Kevin Ickleberry.
Several local emergency responders were recognized during the City Council meeting held Tuesday — three for pulling a man from Lee Lake after his vehicle crashed into it and another for her groundbreaking work in the police department’s mental health team program.
Police Lt. Chris Neal
Police lieutenant
Life Saving Award
Steve Johnson
Police sergeant
Life Saving Award
Chris Buchanan
Fire captain
Life Saving Award
Police Lt. Chris Neal, Sgt. Steve Johnson and Fire Capt. Chris Buchanan were presented with the Life Saving Award by Police Chief Kevin Ickleberry and Deputy Fire Chief Jerry Berry. The three earned the award for pulling a man from Lee Lake last November after the vehicle he was driving left the roadway and crashed into the water.
The man, who had apparently suffered a medical issue, was traveling in a vehicle on Adams Boulevard on the morning of Nov. 30, 2023, when he left the roadway and drove into the lake, partially submerging the vehicle in the water. Neal was on his way to work when he observed the Chevrolet pickup suddenly turn 90 degrees and leave the roadway. Neal observed the truck go airborne as the vehicle traversed the steep embankment and ultimately crash into Lee Lake. Neal quickly made his way to the vehicle as he notified dispatch of the situation.
Buchanan, who was off duty at the time, and Johnson arrived at the scene simultaneously. The trio entered the lake and were quickly confronted with waist-deep water. After discovering that the vehicle’s doors were locked, Johnson retrieved a baton from Neal’s police vehicle and used it to break one of the windows. Neal then unlocked the door of the vehicle, and Buchanan removed the man from the vehicle and the three pulled him to the shore.
“This is yet another example of the heroic actions our police and fire personnel exhibit on a nearly daily basis in our city,” said City Manager Mike Bailey.
Police Officer Sierra Compton, second from left, received Grand Mental Health’s “Officer of the Year” award for her work on one of the police department’s two mental health teams. Also pictured are Jim Warring, left, Rachel Showler, second from right, and Cori Bryson, of GMH.
Sierra Compton
Police officer
Grand Mental Health’s Officer of the Year
Police Officer Sierra Compton was presented with an award during the meeting, receiving Grand Mental Health’s “Officer of the Year” award. The award was presented by Jim Warring and Rachel Showler of Grand Mental Health, along with Ickleberry.
“We appreciate Grand Mental Health’s recognition of Officer Compton and the work she has done in serving as one of the department’s two mental health officers,” said Ickleberry. “These officers are paired with mental health professionals who are assigned by GMH, and together these teams are dedicated to assisting those in our community who are in need of mental health services. We are grateful to our partnership with GMH and the role they have played in making this happen, and we are proud of Officer Compton and the work she is doing to get our citizens the help they need.”