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City of Elkins honors police officers

By Brad Johnson 4 min read

ELKINS -- Several police officers were awarded commendations during an emotional ceremony at this week's Elkins City Council meeting.

At the start of Wednesday evening's meeting, Mayor Van Broughton introduced Fifth Ward Councilman Dave Parker, chair of the city's Public Safety Committee.

"This portion of the show tonight is brought to you by Courage Inc.," Parker said, pointing out the "need to honor our officers and our firefighters. On a regular basis, these people face some of the most demanding and dangerous moments that occur in the life of our city. The work of these officers and firefighters often goes unnoticed and is taken for granted, because they don't blow their own horns."

Parker then introduced Elkins Police Chief Travis Bennett, who presented a special commendation to Patrolman First Class Daniel Sayre, who was shot in the line of duty March 26, 2020.

According to the criminal complaint, Sayre, Corp. C. Boatright and Patrolman D. George encountered Jerry Lee Isner II carrying a rifle in the alley between Henry Avenue and John Street, behind the Jennings Randolph Federal Building.

In the ensuing incident, Isner fired three rounds, two of which struck Sayre in the left calf and right bicep/shoulder, the complaint states.

Sayre was transported by helicopter to Ruby Memorial Hospital, where he underwent surgery for his wounds.

"Patrolman First Class Sayre was faced with a long, difficult and painful path to rehabilitation and recovery to return to duty. (He) faced these challenges with a spirit and determination that is rarely seen," Bennett said during the ceremony. "He was able to return to full-duty status in a shorter time period than expected."

"By order of the chief of police, Patrolman First Class Daniel Sayre is hereby awarded the Purple Heart medal," Bennett said, before placing the medal around Sayre's neck and hugging him.

"It's always an honor to present an award to an officer. This situation is a little different," Bennett said. "I stand here thanking about how thankful and happy I am that I'm able to hang it around his neck, and not be presenting it to his family. Let us never forget what these guys do, and what could happen any day, any shift, on any call."

Bennett also presented formal commendations to Senior Patrolman Kevin Shiflett and Patrolman First Class William Butcher.

The pair of officers were honored for their response in stopping an alleged assault on a child in December in downtown Elkins, in which a woman was attempting to drown a child in a mud puddle close to the city Sanitation Department building, according to court documents.

"The officers were able to quickly take the suspect into custody, and to transport the young victim of the assault to the hospital," Bennett said. "The actions (of the officers, including) their immediate and rapid response, the arrest of the suspect, and the thorough investigation of the criminal activities that had transpired, are in keeping with the ideals of, and reflect great credit upon, the Elkins Police Department."

Elkins Fire Chief Tom Meader also spoke during the ceremony Wednesday.

"I want to take this time to recognize and thank the members of the Elkins Fire Department for a job well done" in fighting a fatal blaze in downtown Elkins last week, Meader said.

Two individuals died in a fire that was reported at about 3:30 a.m. March 10 in a River Street house that had been declared uninhabitable, city officials reported.

The Elkins Fire Department responded to the fire and attempted to make entry, but the building was fully engulfed when members arrived. The West Virginia State Fire Marshal's office is investigating the incident.

Meader also thanked the Randolph County EMS, Elkins City Police and the Beverly Volunteer Fire Department for their help on the scene March 10.

Starting at /week.