Above & Beyond Award, 6/15
The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Foundation recently started a new award within PBSO called the Above & Beyond Award.
The Above & Beyond Award recipient for June, 2015 is District 3 Deputy Barry Staats.
On April 18th at 9pm, the Hendry County Sheriff’s Office responded to a motor vehicle crash.
Upon arriving, the Hendry County deputy observed that a semi was blocking all lanes of traffic and 2 cars had crashed into the trailer. One of the cars was driven by off-duty PBSO Deputy Barry Staats. There were no lights or reflective markings on the semi contributing to the danger of the situation.
The Hendry County deputy made contact with Deputy Staats who had exited his vehicle, moved the 5 kids he was driving to a safe location, and safely stopped oncoming traffic in both directions to prevent further collisions and injuries.
The Hendry County deputy observed that Deputy Staats was bleeding and had dozens of lacerations on his body. Deputy Staats was asked if he needed medical care; he declined, and directed the Hendry County deputy to help the occupants of the other vehicle who had more serious injuries.
Emergency medical services were already arriving on scene thanks to the detailed information given by Deputy Staats immediately after the accident.
Deputy Staats was more concerned with others at the scene than he was with his own injuries. He continued assisting until the medics placed him on a back board. Even once he was on the back board, Deputy Staats was making phone calls to the parents of the children that were in his car.
To quote the Hendry County Sheriff’s Office, “Deputy Staats went above and beyond the expectations of a law enforcement officer who himself was involved and injured in a crash as severe as this one. His actions at the scene saved others from serious injury or death. Deputy Staats personifies professionalism, care and integrity which speaks volumes about the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office and the caliber of deputies employed by your agency.”
Deputy Barry Staats, the Sheriff’s Foundation thanks you for going Above & Beyond! |
