July 15, 2015 - Center Police Officer Jake Gross was presented with the Life Saving Award by Police Chief Jim Albers at the recent Center City Council meeting held on Monday, July 13, 2015.
The honor was presented to Officer Gross because of the life-saving efforts he made when he responded to two 9-1-1 calls on March 3, 2015. Shelby County Today was on scene the night of both incidents to which Gross was en-route. First he was en-route to an auto-pedestrian crash that proved fatal on Tenaha Street when he was diverted to another incident very close by at Center Place Apartments on Center Street.
Joann Lockett, 58, of Center was unresponsive when Officer Gross arrived at her apartment and with the assistance of family members she was moved to the floor where Officer Gross performed CPR on Lockett until ACE EMS personnel arrived and began providing care. Once a pulse was detected, Lockett was transported to Nacogdoches Medical Center - Center Emergency Department and thereafter to Nacogdoches Medical Center in Nacogdoches.
For his efforts, Gross was awarded the Life Saving Award, "Officer Gross was instrumental in saving a lady's life and performed resuscitation on her until the paramedics could get there, and she survived. We're real proud of him and we had this plaque made," said Chief Albers. He briefly showed the council members what the plaque looks like, "It turned out really nice and we're going to present that to him today."
Mayor David Chadwick congratulated Officer Gross on his actions and described his understanding of what the officers do everyday, "We certainly appreciate what you have done, we appreciate what our force does. I know that these are stories that can be told on a regular basis and we do realize how you put your life on the line every time y'all are called out. We don't take it lightly, we take it seriously and I know our public does and one lady in particular really does," said Mayor Chadwick.
A motion was carried and was approved for Resolution 2015-20 - Budget calendar for 2016 budget adoption. Chad Nehring, City Manager, elaborated on some differences in this budget calendar, "It does have to be a little bit different than the traditional year because of the way the tax calendar falls and the notice calendar falls. Instead of the last meeting in September which is normally our final approval of budget, we're actually having to shorten the process about two weeks."
During the meeting Nehring explained what has occurred of late with the progression of the Community Enhancement program. He explained how the Department of Agriculture has created a new program which Nehring stated the city was discouraged from participating. Any projects the city was considering in relation to this program were eliminated from consideration.
Nehring explained the city is looking at the potential of saving upwards of of $100,000 a year and alternative energy generation is one category for which the city will be making proposals for the water plant which according to Nehring has bills in a range of $240,000 a year. This would be a 100% grant and a resolution is expected to be presented to the council at the next meeting.
The meeting was adjourned at 5:44pm.
Several Center Police officers were present for the council meeting to show support for Officer Jake Gross. Pictured are (from left) Sgt. Duane Gordon, Sgt. Scott Burkhalter, Officer Jake Gross, Chief Jim Albers, Lt. Jeremy Bittick and Sgt. Ricky King.
Items on the agenda receiving approval include: 1. Minutes of the June 22, 2015 meeting. 2. Resolution 2015-20 - Budget calendar for 2016 budget adoption. 3. Resolution 2015-21 - Disposal of Surplus Equipment. 4. Adjournment.
