A McCaysville resident is one of two Fairmount, Georgia, police officers credited with turning a bad situation around and saving a life.
Detective Billy Brackett was presented a Medal for Meritorious Service and Officer Mike Taylor received a Medal of Valor in a ceremony at the Fairmount City Council meeting Monday, October 5.
Police Chief Will Regan praised the officers for their actions that turned a “suicide by cop” confrontation, the kind of situation that often leads to loss of life, into the “road for recovery” for a distraught Fairmount man.
Regan said that around 11 a.m. August 31 the man sped past him and Taylor, obviously trying to get the officers to chase him.
Regan stopped the truck while the man was driving on Highway 411. As the chief approached the vehicle, the suspect exited the truck with a knife, threatening Regan.
Regan called for backup and Brackett and Taylor arrived.
The man was obviously highly emotional and yelling, “just shoot me, shoot me” at police.
Taylor began talking to the man and keeping his attention while Brackett made his way around him and deployed a taser. The officers were able to disarm the man with non-lethal force and without further incident.
Regan said Taylor’s “continued methods of talking him out of his crisis (were) definitely worth saving someone’s life.”
Of Taylor and Backett, Regan said, “They humble me with their experience and capabilities as law enforcement officers. Their actions absolutely saved a life that day.”
The man was getting treatment and was at home with a supportive family Friday, October 9, Regan said. “Hopefully that’s the road to recovery for him.”
The man was distraught over the suicide death of his 39-year-old daughter the week before.