HomeMy WebLinkAbout3/2/2011 - STAFF REPORTS - 00 Trrfifirafr of Tommrnbafijan
City of Palm Springs
CALIFORNIA
SERGEANT MATTHEW BEARD began his career as an officer with the
Palm Springs Police Department on December 15, 1991, and on May 22, 2006
he was promoted to Sergeant. During his tenure, he has been assigned to a
cornucopia of police-related duties K-9 officer, ;downtown bicycle-officer, Crime
Suppression, both as an officer and-the Sergeant in Charge; as well as a member of
the SWAT Team.
The early morning call came in :soon after midnight, on February 17,
2011 — Sergeant Beard was first on the scene following the call from a neighbor,
who spotted smoke, called 9-1-l and broke the front window of a small home. In a
scene worthy of an Academy Award winning script, Sergeant Beard heard the
occupant screaming and responded to the calls by kicking in the front door.
Sergeant "Beard went into automatic pilot, dropping to his hands'and knees
and crawling through the inferno of smoke, flames and heat. Following the man's
cries, he reached the occupant and pulled him out of that;bursting.house. The Fire
Department had arrived by that time and while,they gave the man first aid and
whisked him off to the hospital, Sergeant Beard capped off his incredible feat of
bravery and heroism at home with a cold, calming beer, as he was then off-duty, of
course.
The modest Sergeant claims it was just his training that kicked in, but we
are sure that it was the man, in addition to,his training, that saved the occupant's
life. Though words are only tokens and the sergeant was "only doing his job" as he
humbly claims, the City of Palm Springs wishes -to extend its most sincere
appreciation, admiration' and never-ending gratitude to Sergeant Beard for his
bravery and dedication to duty.
As Mayor of the City of Palm Springs, California, and on behalf of the
City Council and our entire City, 1 am honored to present this Certificate of
Commendation this 2nd day of March 2011 to:
SERGEANT MATTHEW BEARD
4d �°