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National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund Announces July 2023 Officer of the Month

Officer Recognized for Remarkable Life-Saving Actions

WASHINGTON, D.C. (November 1, 2023) – The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF) proudly announces Lieutenant Aaron Phipps of the Calhoun County (MI) Sheriff’s Department as the Officer of the Month for July 2023. In a time where acts of heroism and selflessness are paramount, Officer Phipps’ remarkable and life-saving actions saved the life of a young victim.

On June 24, 2023, Lieutenant Aaron Phipps accompanied by two officers, swiftly responded to a distress call marked by a caller’s frantic screams on the phone, coupled with the unsettling cries of a child in the background. Upon their arrival at the scene, they entered the distressed caller’s residence, where they heard unsettling noises coming from behind a locked door. Recognizing the urgency of the situation, Lieutenant Phipps promptly kicked in the door, revealing a female suspect physically holding down a child, attempting to drown the young victim. Without hesitation, Lieutenant Phipps rescued the unconscious child from the bathtub, and performed CPR, successfully reviving the child, while the other officers apprehended the suspect. Marshall Area Firefighters Ambulance (MAFA) responded to the scene and transported the child to Henry Ford Hospital in Jackson, MI for further medical attention.

“In the darkest of moments, it is the bravery and commitment of Lieutenant Phipps that remind us of the extraordinary sacrifices made by law enforcement every day,” said Bill Alexander, Chief Executive Officer of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. “His heroic actions exemplify the very best of our law enforcement community and we are proud to recognize Lieutenant Phipps as Officer of the Month.”

The Officer of the Month Award Program is sponsored by the Police Unity Tour and recognizes federal, state, and local officers who distinguish themselves through exemplary law enforcement service and devotion to duty.

About the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund
Established in 1984, the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund is a nonprofit organization dedicated to honoring the fallen, telling the story of American law enforcement, and making it safer for those who serve. The first pillar of this mission, the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C., honors the names of all of the 23,785 officers who have died in the line of duty to date throughout U.S. history. Additionally, NLEOMF maintains and publishes comprehensive details on the circumstances surrounding official line-of-duty deaths. The Officer Safety and Wellness pillar uses that data, coupled with best-practice program models, to produce programming directed at solutions to improve survivability and enhance wellness. NLEOMF’s third pillar, the National Law Enforcement Museum (LawEnforcementMuseum.org) is committed to preserving the history of American law enforcement and sharing the experiences of service and sacrifice for generations to come.

Mike Twiname
[email protected]
667-678-0426