May 18, 2009
Officers Honored for Life on Line Bravery Following Law Enforcement Memorial
By Tony Rutherford
Huntingtonnews.net Reporter
Huntington, WV (HNN) – Huntington Police Chief Skip Holbrook told the audience at the Police Memorial Service that during the last year there were “in excess of 40 commendations;” however, for recognition at the service, the chief selected those of particular valor where lives were on the line.
The chief honored the following:
Lt. Joe Combs and Cpl. Rod Stinnett: On March 29, 2009, the driver of a Red Buick SUV lost control on the interstate due to diabetic shock. When Cpl. Stinnett arrived, the wheels of the vehicle “tethered on the edge” of a cliff. Stinnett attempted to stabilize the vehicle with his weight while Combs tried to extract the driver. When the driver proved unresponsive, both officers used their weight to stabilize the SUV until paramedics arrived. “If not for their efforts, the vehicle would have plunged over the cliff,” the citation said.
Paul Matovich and Jason Davis: On February 10, 2008, the officers saw a large amount of smoke in the next block while working in the 700 block of Sixth Avenue. Both entered the burning residence and brought out two occupants. When told there was a third person still inside asleep, they reentered the residence and brought the third occupant to safety.
Huntington Drug Unit: The unit in conjunction with the West Virginia State Police and Cabell County Sheriff’s Department investigated in August 2008 Operation Black Tar Heroin, in which the drug was coming into the city 65-75% pure and a so-called normal dose “resulted in deadly outcomes” with numerous users dying. Four indictments were returned as the result of the unit’s work.
Lt. Joe Combs, Cpl. Eddie Bradshaw, Police Officer First Class Mike Huckaby: Following a shooting May 5, 2009 at 21st Street and 11th Avenue, Officer Combs arrived and found the victim in the yard lying in a prone position still in the line of potential gunfire. Combs drove his cruiser in the middle as an armored wedge to protect the victim from gunfire. Cpl. Eddie Bradshaw and Police Officer First Class Mike Huckaby, at the risk of their own lives, carried the critically wounded victim to safety.
Police Officer First Class Ryan Bentley: Chief Holbrook described a call March 4 at about 1:20 a.m. from a dispatcher. They told him one of his officers had been shot. Following a long pause, Holbrook asked, “Is he alive?” Once the dispatcher gave an affirmative response, Holbrook told those gathered, “I can’t describe the immediate relief.” At the scene, he was “impressed” at the actions of his commanding officers in displaying leadership and coordination. “I went straight to the hospital to see Officer Bentley… considering the circumstances ( two wounds), he was alive…”
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By Tony Rutherford
Huntingtonnews.net Reporter
Huntington, WV (HNN) – Huntington Police Chief Skip Holbrook told the audience at the Police Memorial Service that during the last year there were “in excess of 40 commendations;” however, for recognition at the service, the chief selected those of particular valor where lives were on the line.
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Lt. Joe Combs and Cpl. Rod Stinnett: On March 29, 2009, the driver of a Red Buick SUV lost control on the interstate due to diabetic shock. When Cpl. Stinnett arrived, the wheels of the vehicle “tethered on the edge” of a cliff. Stinnett attempted to stabilize the vehicle with his weight while Combs tried to extract the driver. When the driver proved unresponsive, both officers used their weight to stabilize the SUV until paramedics arrived. “If not for their efforts, the vehicle would have plunged over the cliff,” the citation said.
Paul Matovich and Jason Davis: On February 10, 2008, the officers saw a large amount of smoke in the next block while working in the 700 block of Sixth Avenue. Both entered the burning residence and brought out two occupants. When told there was a third person still inside asleep, they reentered the residence and brought the third occupant to safety.
Huntington Drug Unit: The unit in conjunction with the West Virginia State Police and Cabell County Sheriff’s Department investigated in August 2008 Operation Black Tar Heroin, in which the drug was coming into the city 65-75% pure and a so-called normal dose “resulted in deadly outcomes” with numerous users dying. Four indictments were returned as the result of the unit’s work.
Lt. Joe Combs, Cpl. Eddie Bradshaw, Police Officer First Class Mike Huckaby: Following a shooting May 5, 2009 at 21st Street and 11th Avenue, Officer Combs arrived and found the victim in the yard lying in a prone position still in the line of potential gunfire. Combs drove his cruiser in the middle as an armored wedge to protect the victim from gunfire. Cpl. Eddie Bradshaw and Police Officer First Class Mike Huckaby, at the risk of their own lives, carried the critically wounded victim to safety.
Police Officer First Class Ryan Bentley: Chief Holbrook described a call March 4 at about 1:20 a.m. from a dispatcher. They told him one of his officers had been shot. Following a long pause, Holbrook asked, “Is he alive?” Once the dispatcher gave an affirmative response, Holbrook told those gathered, “I can’t describe the immediate relief.” At the scene, he was “impressed” at the actions of his commanding officers in displaying leadership and coordination. “I went straight to the hospital to see Officer Bentley… considering the circumstances ( two wounds), he was alive…”
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