Huntingdon Police Officers Honored for Life-Saving Event

HUNTINGDON (November 26) — Two officers of the Huntingdon Police Department were honored on November 26 for their life-saving efforts during a residential fire.

An commendation was read by Mayor Chad Edwards during the November 26 meeting of the Mayor and Council to commemorate Lieutenant Angie Barker and Officer Jonathan McDowell.

It read, “On Friday, November 11, 2024, Huntingdon Public Safety Dispatch was advised of a fire alarm at 41 Hunter Ridge Cove. Huntingdon Police Officers Lieutenant Angie Barker and Officer Jonathan McDowell arrived on the scene first to find the single level apartment full of smoke with the sprinkler system activated. Upon learning that the resident, Ms. Betty Smith, was still inside the structure the two officers made entry into the smoke filled structure and located Ms. Smith in her wheelchair. They were then able to wheel Ms. Smith outside to relative safety away from the smoke. Lieutenant Barker was treated for smoke inhalation at the local hospital and released. It was the opinion of the E.R. Doctor that had Ms. Smith remained inside the smoke filled structure any longer than she had, that she most likely would not have survived.

This letter is to commend Lieutenant Barker and Officer McDowell for their heroic actions that went above and beyond the call of duty in saving the life of Ms. Betty Smith on November 11, 2024, with a copy of this commendation being placed in their permanent personnel file at the Town of Huntingdon.

The letter was signed by Walter Smothers, director of Public Safety and Mayor Edwards.

Officer Jonathan McDowell recently returned to the Huntingdon Police Department after several years of working in law enforcement in Weakley County.