FARMINGTON — Three corrections officers were recognized Tuesday for saving the life of an inmate found hanging in a segregation unit at the Franklin County Detention Center last year.
Two other corrections officers were acknowledged for their work last year, according to a release from Franklin County Sheriff Scott Nichols Sr.
The awards recognized the “excellent work” done by corrections officers and were presented during an inspection of personnel and the jail conducted by Nichols and Chief Deputy Steven Lowell.
The Sheriff’s Office Lifesaving Awards were given to Sgt. Walter Fails and correction officers Brian Rundlett and Felicia Floyd.
In August 2016, while the officers were working, Fails placed an inmate in a segregation unit because of belligerent behavior. Fails checked on him about 14 minutes later and found him hanging by the neck from a bedsheet attached to a vent, Nichols wrote. Fails immediately called for assistance and lifted the inmate, who appeared to be unconscious, and unhooked him from his bedsheet.
Rundlett and Fails revived the inmate, according to Nichols.
During this time, Floyd called for emergency services and the inmate was transported to Franklin Memorial Hospital to be evaluated.
“Because of their quick actions, and teamwork, Sgt. Fail’s shift saved the life of that inmate, demonstrating the professionalism and training of all of our corrections officers,” Nichols’ release stated. “Because of their actions Sgt. Fails, officer Rundlett and officer Floyd are awarded the Sheriff’s Life Saving Medal.”
Officer Sean Moore was named Officer of the Year 2016. He was unanimously recognized by supervisors, civilian staff and his peers for possessing the exceptional qualities as a leader, trainer, motivator and valued team member, Nichols wrote.
Moore consistently operates in positions of greater responsibility and exercises sound judgment and direction, Nichols wrote. In addition, Moore regularly takes the initiative to complete not only his tasks, but the tasks of his peers.
Moore serves as an “example of what a professional correctional officer is, someone who can work under pressure in a sometimes hostile environment making sound decisions while all the time ensuring the safety of those he is charged to protect while in his care,” Nichols wrote.
Cpl. Phillip Richards, a transport officer, was lauded for his “teamwork, ethic and dedication to the mission of the jail” that earned him Officer of the Quarter for the fourth quarter of 2016.
When not conducting transport duties, Richards is always busy assisting other staff members at the jail, whether it is serving lunch, pushing a broom, working in the control room or ensuring that the transport vehicles are always clean and maintained, Nichols wrote.
“He possesses a natural ability to communicate effectively with inmates in a way that disarms any inmate aggression,” Nichols wrote. Richards is also considered the “go-to” expert regarding court documentation, the sheriff wrote.
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