On an annual basis, the SAPD encourages their employees to nominate their fellow officers for meritorious awards. These nominations are first submitted to the nominated officer’s chain of command for review. Upon being reviewed by the officer’s chain of command, the nominations are then submitted to the “Meritorious Review Board” who then determine if Officer’s actions meet the criteria for a meritorious award. The “Meritorious Review Board” then makes their recommendation to the Chief of Police who would then ultimately determines if the Officer receives a meritorious award.
The San Angelo Police Department is proud to announce that Sergeant Daniel Williams and Officer Garry Hamilton have been awarded the Meritorious Life-Saving Award for their exceptional bravery and swift action in saving a young child from drowning in a pool.
On January 11, 2024, at approximately 3:05 PM, Sergeant Williams and Officer Hamilton responded to an emergency call reporting a child missing in the 5200 block of North Bentwood Drive. Upon arrival, they found a 4-year-old boy unconscious and submerged in the pool. Without hesitation, Sergeant Williams retrieved the child, and immediately began performing life-saving CPR on the child. Officer Hamilton later took over life-saving CPR on the child until San Angelo Fire Department arrived on scene.
Thanks to their quick and decisive actions, the child was transported to Shannon Medical Center for further medical care.
Sergeant Williams and Officer Hamilton exemplify the dedication and courage of our police force. Their immediate response and skilled intervention prevented a tragic loss, and we are immensely proud of their actions. This incident serves as a powerful reminder of the critical role our officers play in safeguarding the community.