SEPTEMBER 22, 2016
Two prestigious awards were handed out last week by the Kentucky Sheriff’s Association to Emergency Services personnel in our area following their actions in responding and saving lives in a structure fire. Deputy Dwayne Bowen of the Lawrence Co. Sheriff’s Dept. and Eddie Preston, the Louisa Fire Chief were nominated on behalf of Sheriff Garrett Roberts and the staff of The Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputy Dwayne Bowen was nominated and received The Medal of Valor and Fire Chief Eddie Preston was nominated and received The Civilian Support Award.
The citation from the Sheriff’s Association reads as follows:
“…On Tuesday, April 12th 2016 Officer Bowen responded to a call in the Powhatan area of Louisa in reference to a fire within the city limits. This was thought at first to be a controlled burn. The reporting person advised that there was someone trapped inside. Upon arriving on the scene, officer Bowen met up with the Louisa Fire Chief Eddie Preston and they together proceeded up a bank toward the structure. Realizing that fast action must be taken, The two men entered the structure and with little regard for their own safety.The two continued through the rooms and located a male against the wall in a room filled with smoke. After calling to the man, they proceeded to assist the man out of the burning structure. Realizing that the smoke and spray from the fire hose was causing the man discomfort, officer Bowen shielded the man with a blanket until EMS arrived to assist him. He was rushed to Cabell-Huntington Med Center where he was treated for burns over 70% of his body but survived.
Because of their heroic action, the two men received the awards at an award ceremony by the Kentucky Sheriff’s Association.
