HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem #22 - Discussion ItemTo Howard Gary
City Manager
FROenneth I. Harms
Chief of Police
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INT77R-OFFICE N.IENICRANDUM
.,r_ April 7, 1982
Officer of the Month
March 1982
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The Miami Police Department has selected Officer Bruce Beard as its
Most Outstanding Officer of the Month for March 1982.
On the morning of March 9th, Officer Beard was enroute to court when
he saw smoke billowing from a house at N.E. 2nd Avenue and 22nd
Street. After calling for the Fire Department, Officer Beard ran
into the burning building to summon the occupants. Many of the
people inside were asleep and not aware their house was ablaze.
With complete disregard for his own safety, Officer Beard searched
the entire premises for occupants. He found six adults and six
children and led each of them out of the building to safety. By
the time the fire was brought under control, it had completely
destroyed the house and damaged two adjacent buildings. The gallant
heroism of Officer Beard prevented a major tragedy; -had he not
risked his own life to remove the residents from the burning house,
they surely would have died in the blaze, according to the Fire
Department officials at the scene.
Officer Beard, 24, has been with the Miami Police Department less
than two years. During his brief career, he has earned six depart-
mental commendations, including two personal citations from the
Chief of Police. He has been involved in several in -progress
situations with robbery and burglary offenders, during which he
always was able to apprehend the offender. He also was part of a
successful downtown anti -crime squad during the 1980 holiday season.
Please advise my office of the date and time of the City Commission's
presentation of the Certificate of Appreciation to Officer Beard.
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