Cookeville Council Honors 3 Police Officers For Rescuing Woman

The Cookeville Police Department Life Saving Award given to three officers who helped save a woman from fire two weeks ago.

“I couldn’t have been more impressed to see their teamwork and their courageousness in the way that they went into a structure fire and we’re not firemen,” Police Chief Randy Evans said. “But a smoke filled room, obviously very dangerous situation. And they went in there with one thing in mind and one goal, and that was to save.”

The City Council recognized Alannah Davis, Clint Cannon, and Owen Tolbert for their work April 9 when fire broke out at the Best Western Hotel on South Jefferson Avenue. Evans said he had viewed the video of the three’s work as they tried to free a Sparta woman trapped in a room.

“I will just tell you, all three of these officers really combined, probably don’t have five years law enforcement experience,” Evans said. “So we’ve got a relatively young crew here.”

Evans presented each of the officers with medals. Evans said without the officers’ dedication and courage, the situation might have turned out differently.

“Saying we’re proud of you isn’t enough,” Mayor Laurin Wheaton told the officers.

“I truly believe we have the best force in the state,” Vice Mayor Luke Eldridge said.