Courage to Take Action - Our Savannah Hero for July!
Renfroe Outdoor, in conjunction with the Savannah Police Department, is proud to announce our newest honoree in the Savannah Heroes program! Each month, we will highlight a member of the local police force on our extensive digital billboard network for their outstanding work in serving and improving our communities.
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This month we are proud to spotlight Cpl. Barrett Hood!
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From the Savannah Police Department:
Cpl. Barrett Hood joined the Savannah Police Department in 2017 and is currently assigned to the Northwest/Downtown precinct. But it was his actions June 18 on the Talmadge Bridge when dealing with a distressed, suicidal subject that made him deserving of the title of July’s Officer of the Month.
Cpl. Hood and several other officers were called to the bridge for a man who was possibly in distress. The man was grieving the tragic loss of his young child in addition to employment and legal stress. On several occasions the man put one leg over the side of the bridge, convinced it was his only solution. The officers spoke to him about his issues, attempting to de-escalate the situation. Although the man refused to let them get close to him, the officers continued their conversations from a distance, hoping to convince him to come back to safety. They discussed his concerns and his child and offering their support and assistance for the problems he was facing. While conversations were ongoing, Cpl. Hood requested the assistance of Savannah Fire to connect him to a harness in case it was needed to rescue the man. Finally during the conversations the man pulled out his phone to look at something. While his eyes were focused on the phone and away from the officers, Cpl. Hood took his opportunity and leapt onto the man, knocking him to the ground but also to safety. The officers continued to speak to him and calm him as they pulled him away from the edge of the bridge and to an ambulance.
Thanks to the actions of Cpl. Hood and the other officers on the bridge that day, another tragedy was averted and a man, who was contemplating ending his life, is getting the help he needs to move forward.
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About the initiative:
Renfroe Outdoor is proud to partner with the Savannah Police Department in an initiative to honor our local heroes. Each month, this program will highlight an outstanding officer in our community chosen by the Savannah PD and recognize them across town with our digital billboard network.
It is of the opinion of the management of Renfroe Outdoor that most media outlets are too eager to cover the wrong stories relating to the police. While all public officials should be held accountable for their actions, there are far more positives that can be said about the local police than the negative. With this program, Renfroe Outdoor hopes to help foster a growing positive relationship between our citizens and the men and women who put themselves in danger to protect them each day.
