AGENCY NOMINATED FOR 2 NATIONAL AWARDS
Buffalo, NY – Erie County Sheriff John C. Garcia announced today the agency is nominated for two RISE Awards presented by Axon.
First is the RISE Officer of the Year for Dr. Kevin McGee’s life-saving response at the Buffalo Bills’ game on January 2, 2022. Dr. McGee, the agency’s Chief Medical Officer and Chief Medic for the Special Services Division, received a call on his radio for immediate medical assistance in parking Lot 4. He retrieved an AED from his medic vehicle and ran across the parking lot. Deputies began CPR as Dr. McGee applied the AED. Once the shock was delivered and CPR continued, the patient regained consciousness. Dr. McGee remained with the patient in the ambulance to ensure they remained stabilized until they reached Mercy Hospital.
The second nomination is for collaboration with Peaceprints of WNY and the Project Blue program. This innovative pilot program has served over 300 incarcerated individuals since its implementation three years ago with an astonishing 10% recidivism rate (compared to 81% for those in the general incarcerated population). Project Blue has greatly assisted in accomplishing that goal by ensuring that Sheriff’s security personnel are actively engaged in the program with a “Community Reintegration Officer.”
The Sheriff’s Office is encouraging the community to visit the websites and vote for these deserving nominees. Voting ends March 18, and people can vote daily.
Vote for Dr. Kevin McGee here:
https://riseawards.us.launchpad6.com/officer2022/entries?fbclid=IwAR3k_…;
Vote for Project Blue here:
https://riseawards.axon.com/community2022/entry/207?fbclid=IwAR0HxtqMut…
The RISE Awards is a program presented by Axon that highlights the voices and incredible stories of those involved in law enforcement. This year Axon is presenting awards for the following categories:
• RISE Agency: an agency that is making great strides in building up its community.
• RISE Officer: an officer who has saved a life or shown exemplary performance in the field.
• RISE Community: a community program that is working hand-in-hand with law enforcement.
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