Oneonta (AL) Patrolmen Receive September 2018 Officer of the Month Award

The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund has named Patrolmen Cory Glasscock and Matt Suddeth, of the Oneonta (AL) Police Department, as the recipients of its Officer of the Month Award for September 2018.

On the night of July 3, 2018, the Oneonta Fire and Rescue Service received a call for a fire at an apartment building. Patrolmen Cory Glasscock and Matt Suddeth raced to the scene when they received the call.

Patrolman Suddeth arrived first and observed an apartment complex, occupied by elderly residents, on fire with flames visibly shooting from the roof. When Patrolman Glasscock arrived, the two officers ran towards the burning building to make contact with two elderly women they saw in adjoining units. The elderly women had not yet seen the heavy smoke and flames from their apartments and were not aware they were in danger.

The officers broke windows to extract one of the women who was trapped due to the fire blocking her door. After being alerted of the danger, the other woman managed to escape.

“Both officers provided notification and extraction on what could have resulted in death or injury had it not been for their valiant efforts,” Oneonta Chief of Police Charles Clifton said. “They are deserving [of the Officer of the Month Award] not just because of this incident, but for the way they carry themselves each and every day and the professionalism they constantly display.”

“As we see time and again, these two heroes ran into the fire to save lives,” Memorial Fund Chief Executive Officer Craig W. Floyd said. “These officers knew they had to risk their lives to save these women. Their efforts do not go unnoticed, and it’s my honor to present them with the Memorial Fund’s Officer of the Month Award for September 2018.”

Located in the nation’s capital, the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund is a nonprofit organization dedicated to honoring the service and sacrifice of America’s law enforcement officers. The Memorial Fund’s Officer of the Month Award Program began in 1996 and recognizes federal, state, and local officers who distinguish themselves through exemplary law enforcement service and devotion to duty.

Patrolmen Cory Glasscock and Matt Suddeth, along with the other Officer of the Month Award recipients for 2018, will be honored at a special awards ceremony in Washington, DC, in 2019.

Established in 1984, the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund is a private non-profit organization dedicated to telling the story of American law enforcement and making it safer for those who serve. The Memorial Fund maintains the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, DC, which contains the names of 21,541 officers who have died in the line of duty throughout U.S. history. The Memorial Fund is now building the new National Law Enforcement Museum, which will tell the story of American law enforcement by providing visitors a “walk in the shoes” experience. The Museum is working to expand and enrich the relationship shared by law enforcement and the community through the Museum’s educational journeys, immersive exhibitions, and insightful programs. For more information, visit www.LawMemorial.org.