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Probation Officers Honored for Life Saving Actions

Franklin County Adult Probation Department honored three Probation Officers with a department commendation life-saving award.

Adult Probation

September 25, 2020

Four people, three in uniform and one in a suit, stand in front of a brick wall with a sign reading
Photo (left to right): Officer Brooke Alleman, Officer Travis Newman, Officer Brian Smith stand with Chief of Adult Probation Doug Wilburne.

On Wednesday, the Franklin County Adult Probation Department honored three Probation Officers with a department commendation life-saving award. The awards were presented by Doug Wilburne, Chief of Adult Probation, before department staff and President Judge Shawn D. Meyers. 

“I am honored and privileged to present, for the first time in our department’s history, an official recognition of heroism, courage and quick actions resulting in rescues that saved the lives of two Franklin County citizens,” said Chief of Adult Probation Douglas Wilburne.

Recently, Officers Travis Newman and Brian Smith acted quickly to extinguish the flames in a hotel room that was on fire. They then searched the room for a person said to be trapped. The officers found the individual hiding in the back of the room and assisted the occupant to safety. 

Officers Brooke Alleman and Brian Smith were honored for a previous save involving a court supervised individual who was unresponsive and not breathing. The officers quickly identified the situation as a possible opiate overdose and administered two doses of Naloxone prior to the arrival of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel. The individual made a full recovery and was referred to intensive drug and alcohol treatment. 

Chief Wiburne formally recognized the efforts of Officer Travis Newman, Officer Brian Smith, and Officer Brooke Alleman and presented all three officers with life-saver commendation pins.