The Buckhannon Police Department recognized one of its own this week after a quick-thinking patrolman located and rescued a missing 2-year-old child.
At the Thursday, Sept. 18 Buckhannon City Council meeting, Police Chief Matt Gregory presented Patrolman Cole Bender with the department’s Life-Saving Award, an honor reserved for officers whose actions directly prevent the loss of life.
Gregory explained that the department’s formal awards program highlights everything from bravery and meritorious service to safe driving and good conduct. While awards such as the Purple Heart are rarely given, the Life-Saving Award is reserved for extraordinary situations in which an officer’s actions directly save another person.
“This evening, I’d like to make a special presentation to Patrolman Cole Bender,” Gregory told council.
The recognition stems from an incident that occurred on Monday, July 21, when the Upshur County Sheriff’s Office and the West Virginia State Police Buckhannon detachment requested assistance in searching for a missing 2-year-old nonverbal toddler with autism.
“Patrolman Bender was among the Buckhannon officers who responded to this emergency,” Gregory said. “After approximately an hour from the initial request, Patrolman Bender, thinking to himself what a child her age might do, began walking up a steep hillside about 100 yards from the home.”
The child had been described as wearing a gray-and-white T-shirt, a diaper, and having blonde hair pulled into a ponytail. As darkness began to fall, Bender spotted what he initially thought was an animal near the top of the hill – but it turned out to be the missing toddler.
“Patrolman Bender carried her to safety,” Gregory said. “It was a very fortunate occurrence, as darkness would have made locating the child extremely difficult, coupled with the danger of exposure or wild animals. For his prompt and unselfish act of rendering aid and assistance that resulted in saving a life, Patrolman Bender is hereby awarded the Buckhannon Police Department Life-Saving Award.”
Mayor Robbie Skinner and Gregory praised Bender’s commitment to his work.
“He’s active with foot patrols, something we’ve been wanting more of, and he’s done very well with it,” Skinner said.
Gregory said Bender, who has been with the department for about five months after transferring from the Upshur County Sheriff’s Office, has proved to be “a tremendous addition to the department.”
The police chief also briefed council on ongoing discussions about traffic congestion on Smithfield Street at the end of the school day during dismissal at Buckhannon Academy Elementary School.
“Our most recent conversation focused on rerouting traffic to make better use of the Board of Education parking lot,” Gregory said. “We’re working with Academy staff and the board office to implement this pattern soon, which we hope will alleviate some of the concerns.”
In addition, the police department will partner with the Buckhannon Fire Department to host a community screening of the documentary “PTSD 911” on Saturday, Oct. 4, at 6 p.m. at West Virginia Wesleyan College’s Performing Arts Center. The film explores the trauma first responders experience and how it affects their lives.
