RCPD Director Brad Schoen, left, recognizes Sharlene Beverly, a corrections officer, with a Riley County Police Department Life Saving Award during Tuesday’s Riley County Law Board meeting inside Manhattan’s City Hall. (Staff photo by Brady Bauman)
A corrections officer was recognized with a Life Saving Award during Tuesday’s Riley County Law Board meeting.
“We don’t give a lot of these out, but the occasion arises every once in a while,” Riley County Police Department Director Brad Schoen told the board.
Schoen said Corrections Officer Sharlene Beverly provided critical lifesaving assistance to an inmate at the Riley County Jail on Aug. 1, 2017. He said Beverly was working in the female pod when an inmate informed her that another inmate was attempting to hang herself in her cell.
“CO Beverly responded to the cell in question and found that the female occupant had tied a sheet around her neck, attached it to the top bunk of the bed, and allowed her weight to create enough tension to cut off her air supply,” Schoen said. “CO Beverly quickly notified fellow corrections staff and requested the locked cell door be opened. At the same time, an inmate in an adjacent cell heard the commotion and pressed the intercom button requesting to be released to assist.”
Schoen said once Beverly was inside the cell, she lifted the victim to relieve the tension around her neck while simultaneously attempting to loosen the knot of the bed sheet.
“This, however, proved to be a difficult task due to the size disparity between CO Beverly and the inmate,” Schoen added.
Schoen said the neighboring inmate then entered the cell and assisted Beverly by lifting the victim and allowing her to focus efforts on untying the knot.
“The inmate’s attempted suicide was thwarted by CO Beverly’s quick thinking and dedication to safeguarding the inmates under her care, as well as the assistance of another inmate who was willing to be become involved,” Schoen told the board.
Schoen said the inmate who helped Beverly will be receiving a letter of gratitude from the department.
“Civilians aren’t necessarily eligible for all the awards our employees are, but we’re also doing something to recognize that person as well,” he said.
The board approved a renewal of its agreement with the Kansas State University Police Department. It also approved an interlocal radio communication systems agreement with Riley County as it moves closer to upgrading its emergency radio system.
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