Rep. Sheryl Briggs, D-Mexico, is pictured with, from left, Ernie Cloutier, Thomas Harrison, Cody Magoon and Brian Palmer. Cloutier, Palmer and Harrison were honored at the State House for heroism.

Rep. Briggs honors three local heroes

AUGUSTA – Rep. Sheryl Briggs, D-Mexico, honored three local residents at the State House in March for their heroism and bravery in recent rescue events. Briggs presented two sentiments on the House floor to honor Brian Palmer and Ernie Cloutier, both of Dixfield, and Thomas Harrison of Mexico.

Palmer and Cloutier rescued Cody Magoon of Mexico when Magoon was lost in the wilderness during a February storm.

Magoon used his cell phone to call for help, and upon receiving the call, Game Warden Dave Chabot and Sgt. Rick Mills coordinated efforts with Palmer and Cloutier to locate Magoon.

When they found him, Magoon was unresponsive. The men brought Magoon out of the woods to Cloutier’s house to care for him until help could arrive. Magoon was then transported to Rumford Hospital where he received medical treatment for hypothermia.

Harrison was honored for the actions he took when he was driving by the home of Tyler Richard’s step-grandfather when the boy walked out onto the road bleeding from the chest.

According to Briggs’ floor speech, 9-year-old Tyler Richard had found a loaded .38 caliber handgun under the cushions of the couch. He picked up the gun and it went off. Briggs said Tyler ended up shooting himself in the chest, puncturing his lung. Harrison drove Richard to Rumford Hospital. Tyler Richard is Briggs’ great-nephew.

“I am honored to have been elected representative of District 93 and the representative of these brave men,” said Briggs. “I am proud and grateful to be here today in a position to honor their bravery and heroism.”

All honorees were present in the House Gallery with family members during Briggs’ presentations of the sentiments.

Briggs also invited the Rev. Jane Rich of the United Church of Christ of Andover and Elaine Michaud of Mexico to be part of the House Chamber’s opening ceremonies. Rich said the opening prayer and Michaud performed the national anthem.