The Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police (VACP) awarded six Danville Police officers the Award for Lifesaving for their self-less actions during Tropical Storm Michael on Oct.11, 2018.
Chief Scott Booth recognized Major Timothy Jones, Lt. David Whitley, Cpl. John Dixon, Cpl. Christopher Morris, Officer Jonathan Masi and Officer Charles Willard with the award during the Danville City Council meeting Sept. 17. The officers braved rapidly rising flash floodwaters to rescue individuals trapped in their vehicles in the midst of the storm’s fury.
Recalling the impactful events of that day Chief Booth said, “While some people probably hunkered down in their homes and their offices and did the safe thing, I had many officers-many that we aren’t recognizing here tonight-that immediately ran out…and they literally dove in and they saved lives here.”
Each year the VACP honors officers with the Award for Lifesaving for actions that put the officer in harm's way in the attempt to save the life of another individual. These honorees risked their own lives to save others from drowning situations that day.