American Legion Post 26 honored Davenport Police Officer Michael Catton and Davenport Firefighters Tyler Schmidt, Ben Weinstein, and Will Schorg as American Legion Post 26 Police Officer and Firefighters of the Year recipients.
FIREFIGHTER OF THE YEAR
On a daily basis, the men and women of the Davenport Fire Department make a difference in our community. Many of these responses are life changing events for the individuals involved. The actions of all of our Public Safety members make Davenport a safer community - as they protect life and property from harm’s way. American Legion Post 26 recognized the specific actions of Engine 5 C shift, for their river rescue on April 29, 2022.
In the afternoon of April 29, Davenport Fire crews were dispatched to a river rescue - for a person that had fallen off the seawall under the arsenal bridge. A contractor was performing work on the wall of Locks and Dam 15, located on the Mississippi River when a railing gave way and he fell into the river. Co-workers on site immediately began attempts to rescue the worker; as others summoned responders through 9-1-1. The Rock Island Arsenal Fire Department and the Davenport Fire Department were dispatched to this incident. At the time, it was unclear whether the subject was on the upstream or the downstream side of the Locks. Engine 5 and Rescue Boat 5 responded to the Marquette Street boat ramp and quickly launched a boat and readied to respond. Radio traffic indicated the subject was still in the water on the downstream side of the Lock.
As Rescue Boat 5 approached, crew members were flagged into the auxiliary lock side of Lock and Dam 15. They found the subject’s head barely above water and his life jacket was unzipped, with only one arm through the jacket. Rescue Boat 5 placed the boat next to the victim and the victim was unable to assist with getting into the boat from the water. The Davenport Fire crew grabbed the victim and pulled him into the boat, quickly proceeding back to the Marquette Street landing and advised to have the Medic ambulance meet and transport the victim to the hospital. While returning to the boat ramp, Engine 5 crew covered the victim with an emergency blanket and assessed him for any injuries.
The members of Engine 5 C shift demonstrated the values and dedication of the Davenport Fire Department as they performed their duties that day. Because of their actions, the American Legion Post 26 was pleased to award District Chief Tyler Schmidt, Engineer Ben Weinstein, and Firefighter Will Schorg with the Firefighter of the Year Award.
POLICE OFFICER OF THE YEAR
Officer Michael Catton, a four year veteran of the Davenport Police Department, was recognized for his performance and professionalism and for embodying the core principles of the Davenport Police Department while at risk to his own life, and while saving the life of a community member.
On the night of June 8, 2022, officers were dispatched to Casey’s Convenience Store located at 1691 W 53rd St in reference to a suspicious subject. Officer Catton was the first officer to arrive and located a male subject on the south side of the building. After making contact, Officer Catton identified the male and learned he had multiple active arrest warrants. Officer Catton requested a second unit, and attempted to take the subject into custody.
The subject attempted to flee from Officer Catton, who pursued him on foot to the south east corner of the parking lot, an area with no lights and out of sight of the public view. The subject drew a handgun while running and fired at Officer Catton. Both the subject and Officer Catton fell to the rocky ground, where Officer. Catton fought to control the subject who was actively fighting with him while trying to fire again. Officer Catton was heard by a witness yelling at the subject to stop fighting.
In fear for his life, Officer Catton was forced to fire his duty weapon, striking the subject multiple times and stopping the threat. Despite having been shot at and in an armed struggle for his life, Officer Catton remained calm and followed his training. This allowed him to make sound decisions, saving his life. A review of the incident by the Scott County Attorney’s Office and the Davenport Police Department, deemed Officer Catton’s use of deadly force justified and Officer Catton returned to full duty on July 22, 2022.
Just twenty-two days later, on August 12, 2022, officers were dispatched to the area of 2660 E 53rd St in reference to reports of an individual injured by gunfire. Again, Officer Catton was the first officer on scene and located a victim on the ground suffering from a life-threatening gunshot wound. Without hesitation Officer Catton rendered aid to the victim, applying hard, direct pressure to the gunshot wound.
While providing medical attention to the victim and aware that the shooting suspect was at large, Officer Catton remained calm, gathering and relaying information to other officers. Officer Catton provided critical information to responding Medics, allowing them to maximize their lifesaving measures on a victim who was losing blood rapidly and in need of higher medical services.
Officer Catton continued to provide lifesaving attention inside the ambulance in transit to the emergency room. Officer Catton assisted with packing the wound to control bleeding, and continued to calmly speak with the victim. Medical personnel advised Officer Catton’s actions from the time he arrived on scene to arrival at the hospital greatly contributed to the victim’s survival.
Officer Catton’s conduct, actions, and professionalism during both of these incidents in a very dangerous and stressful situation embodies the core principles of the Davenport Police Department and are a credit to his commitment to the Davenport Police Department and the citizens of Davenport.
Original source can be found here.
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