Alexander officer receives Life Saving Award

City of Alexander K-9 Police Officer Nick Salyers was presented with a Life Saving Award for actions he took after a stabbing incident, which occurred April 21. The individual whose life he saved was that of Council Member Jeff Watson who was stabbed multiple times at his home by an unnamed individual who was caught later that evening. The award was presented at the May 18 council meeting.

The citation, presented by Sergeant Matthew Wharton, credited not only the actions by Officer Salyers and his training, but a product known as QuikClot. Prior to the presentation Police Chief Robert Burnett provided some details about the incident and an in-house medical training program developed by Sergeant Wharton.

Chief Burnett told council members “about two years ago” then Officer Wharton proposed an emergency medical training program for the department. Wharton is a medic with the Army National Guard. Chief Burnett said Officer Wharton was able to provide the training himself and locate funding for other necessities like the QuikClot “at no cost to the city.” The Chief added that all officers have gone through the program twice.

QuikClot is a gauze which when applied to a wound increases the clotting of blood, thereby slowing or stopping external bleeding.

Officer Nick Salyers

File Photo

“For outstanding performance and duty as a member of the Alexander Police Department on April 21^st, 2020, on the above date, Officer Salyers responded to a stabbing with possible suspect on the scene on Valley Drive at the intersection of West Azalea Drive,” the citation begins. “Officer Salyers arrived to the chaotic scene with several emotionally distraught individuals and observed the victim's wife was holding a towel on the back of the victim that was soaked with the victim’s blood.”

The citation describes how after Officer Salyers assessed the suspect had fled the scene he determined “the seriousness of the injuries” and retrieved the trauma kit from his vehicle. Officer Salyers applied the QuikClot and “then held pressure on the dressing, which effectively stopped the extreme blood loss.”

“Officer Salyers immediate implementation of emergency treatment and presence of mind under extreme conditions undoubtedly saved the victim’s life.” The citation concludes by stating, “The above mentioned officer’s performance as a member of the patrol division and in keeping with the highest ideals of law enforcement, in fact, brings credit upon himself, the Alexander Police Department and the City of Alexander.”

Officer Salyers received a round of applause by those present.

During his opening remarks Chief Burnett described how after Watson was on his way to the hospital officers spread out through the area to search for the alleged perpetrator. “We hit a house on Mountain Drive and apprehended the suspect,” he concluded.

The unnamed suspect was booked into Saline County Jail. An official report has not been released.