BPD Officer of the Month

BRADENTON -- Master Patrol Officer Matthew Palmer was named the Bradenton Police Department’s Officer of the Month for October for his role in rescuing the victim of a car crash.

Lt. James Racky, who nominated MPO Palmer for the award, said he “went above and beyond the call of duty” by adminis­tering first aid, calming the victim and shielding her from broken glass and debris as she was removed from the wrecked vehicle.

Shortly after the arrival of Manatee County EMS, it was determined that the driver had a possible spinal cord injury, so a responder was needed to apply a “C-Spine” medical technique while paramedics could gather additional equipment to treat the patient.

MPO Palmer without hesitation volunteered to assist the patient by effectively positioning his hands to brace the driver’s neck, so no further injury would occur.

MPO Palmer continued to calm the driver while shielding her from glass and metal debris, due to the extrication process.