ELKINS, W.Va. –Three police officers from the Elkins Police Department are set to be honored Thursday evening with Lifesaving Awards and decorations for their heroic acts in helping to save an elderly man in June.
Senior Patrolman D. Coffman, WVSP Senior Trooper Anthony Petrella, and Patrolman Seth Davis will be honored for their role in saving Harold Wayne Simmons, 80, who was found submerged in water.
Simmons was reported missing from his Gorman Avenue home on the afternoon of Wednesday, June 18, after a home healthcare worker arrived and found him gone. The worker contacted the Elkins Police Department to report him missing. The department then issued a Silver Alert and began searching for Simmons.
Shortly before 10:30 that evening, someone called the West Virginia State Police to report hearing noises or screaming coming from their property. Trooper Petrella took the call and requested backup, initially believing it might involve a vagrant.
Coffman and Davis arrived at the property and assisted Petrella with the search.
Patrolman Coffman, who will receive the Lifesaving Medal, was the officer who found Simmons submerged in water up to his shoulders.
Elkins Police Chief Travis Bennett noted that Coffman carried out the rescue in an unusual way.
“He basically used a tree to crash, slide, shimmy to the water and pull the gentleman out of the water,” he said on MetroNews Midday Wednesday afternoon.
Bennett said Simmons was taken to the hospital after the rescue and has since made a good recovery.
Petrella will receive a Letter of Appreciation, and Davis will receive a Letter of Commendation.
Bennett said the situation could have ended differently, but fortunately, the three individuals did what they were supposed to do.
“It’s by good work, good police work, good investigative skills not just these guys going and looking around, being intent on the search, doing the job the way it’s supposed to be done,” he said. “This could have just as easily been a body recovery after that, but it wasn’t because of the skill and dedication these guys displayed.”
Bennett emphasized the importance of honoring these individuals for their actions.
“It’s also important to recognize them, as much for their families and stuff as well, that they see their officer be recognized for what they’ve done and it’s a morale booster for the entire department, for the community, and everything
The ceremony is scheduled for Thursday at 7 p.m. during the Elkins City Council meeting, held at the Phil Gainer Community Center Gymnasium, 142 Robert E. Lee Ave. Ext., Elkins, WV.