By Charles Romans
Carter County Times
The city of Grayson began their council meeting last week with a recognition ceremony for several Grayson Police Department officers who have gone above and beyond the call of duty. Specifically, they honored officers involved in the two June officer related shooting incidents inside the city, beginning with officers involved in the June 20 apprehension and arrest of Dylan Evans.
“There are men on our police force who have answered the call of duty and have put themselves in harm’s way to protect our city, our county, our state, and all of the citizens here today,” Grayson mayor Troy Combs said. “And as such, we want to honor those officers for their acts of valor.”
Combs then called up Chief Tony Cantrell, Officer Wes Boggs, ABC Officer Joe Hammer, Officer Chris Newman, and Officer Timmy Jackson to stand with him and receive commendations from the city.
Combs began by recognizing Police Chief Tony Cantrell for, “acting with tremendous bravery and quick thinking while serving his fellow citizens in the line of duty as a vital member and Chief of the Grayson Police Department.”
“On June 20, 2024, Chief Cantrell and two colleagues were investigating a suspicious person in the area of Bowen Street in Grayson,” Combs continued, reading from a proclamation. “The individual was behaving strangely and stated several times he intended to shoot at the officers. The subject assumed a shooting stance and reached into his beltline and pulled out a weapon, at which time the officers heard shots fired and returned fire. Though they did not strike the subject, the subject then barricaded into a private home. The officers were quickly able to take control of the situation and arrest the subject with minimal force.”
Combs then recognized Cantrell and presented him with a Medal of Valor.
Officer Wes Boggs was recognized by the city in the same ceremony.
“Know ye that Officer Wes Boggs is recognized with honor for acting with tremendous bravery and quick thinking while serving his fellow citizens in the line of duty as a vital member of the Grayson Police Department,” Mayor Combs read from the proclamation.
Boggs provided crucial assistance to his fellow officers during the altercation with the armed individual encountered in the area of Bowen Street, and was awarded the Medal of Valor as well.
The mayor then recognized ABC Officer Joe Hammer.
“Know ye that ABC Officer Joe Hammer is recognized and honored for acting with tremendous bravery and quick thinking while serving his fellow citizens in the line of duty as a vital member of the Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms Control,” Mayor Combs read.
Hammer was involved with the events resulting in the investigation of the suspicious individual along with Cantrell and Boggs.
The city recognized Officers Chris Newman and Timmy Jackson for a separate incident, which resulted in Jackson being struck by a vehicle driven by suspect Christopher Carpenter. Combs, again reading from a proclamation, “recognized and honored” Newman, “for acting with tremendous bravery and quick thinking while serving his fellow citizens in the line of duty as a vital member of the Grayson Police Department.”
“On June 10, 2024, Officer Newman and his colleague Officer Timmy Jackson responded to a call involving an individual suspected of a crime at First National Bank in Grayson,” he continued. “Officer Jackson stopped the car driven by the suspect and advised the suspect that he was under arrest. At which time the suspect attempted to pull away and to strike Officer Newman. Though Officer Newman avoided being hit, the suspect then backed the car up narrowly missing Officer Jackson, before turning the vehicle around and striking Officer Jackson. Officer Newman, believing the vehicle was dragging his fellow officer, fired several shots thereby forcing the suspect to stop, at which time he was arrested,” Combs read. “Inasmuch as Office Chris Newman exhibited laudable courage, selflessness, and professional skill during his most critical time of need, said honoree is offered sincere commendation and gratitude for the phenomenal effort that he put forth in a most dangerous situation.”
(Editor’s note: Carpenter was actually arrested the following day, after fleeing the scene and turning himself in to an Olive Hill police officer.)
Officer Chris Newman was also recognized with a Medal of Valor.
Combs and the city council recognized Officer Timmy Jackson with a Purple Heart for his injury in the line of duty and service to the city.
“Know ye that Officer Timmy Jackson is recognized and honored for acting with tremendous bravery and quick thinking while serving his fellow citizens in the line of duty as a vital member of the Grayson Police Department,” Combs proclaimed. “Inasmuch as Officer Timmy Jackson exhibited laudable courage, selflessness, and professional skill during his most critical time of need, said honoree is offered sincere commendation and gratitude for the phenomenal effort that he put forth in a most dangerous situation.”
Contact the writer at charles@cartercountytimes.com
