The East Ridge Police Department would like to recognize the extraordinary efforts by Charlie Team officers during a roll over crash early Tuesday morning. The incident was passed along as follows:

23-001521 – Welcome Center I-75 Northbound – MVC with Entrapment – Police responded to a vehicle roll over. Officers arrived on scene and were advised that a baby was trapped in the backseat. Officers were able to free the baby. The mother and child were transported by EMS.

This short blurb does not do their actions justice. The team’s Sergeant, K. Kimsey, filed this with the chief’s office:

“Officer Dyer and P.O. Resendiz responded to a traffic crash this morning, Feb. 7, 2023, at 0134 hrs at 100 I-75 Northbound. Once on scene Ofc. Dyer advised the vehicle was on its top, on a rock bed at the entrance to the welcome center. All other units responded to the scene at this time.

“Ofc. Dyer and P.O. Resendiz encountered a female outside of the vehicle who was injured and advising her child was trapped inside. The female spoke Spanish and P.O. Resendiz was able to translate what she was saying to other officers quickly and proficiently. The child was not responding to officers. Ofc. Dyer, Ofc. Richardson and Cpl. Jansen were able to make their way through the rocks and debris and get the passenger door open enough for an officer to get in.

“Ofc. Dyer, Ofc Richardson and Cpl. Jansen were able to get the small child who was upside down in a car seat out of the vehicle safely and pass her to medical personnel once they arrived. I would like to see these officers recognized for their quick actions and excellent work in this traumatic event.”

Chief Uselton, on behalf of the East Ridge Police Department, officially recognized the officers’ actions.

“I would like to formally congratulate your shift on a job well done involving this crash on Interstate 75,” Chief Uselton said. “The actions undertaken by officers exemplify the quality of service and level of selflessness that few in our society are capable of.

“You were faced with dangerous conditions and acted decisively and effectively to rescue a small child. Your willingness to place yourself in harms way for the protection and safety of others is admirable and too often goes unrecognized

“The young lady whose child you rescued will remember your actions for the rest of her life.

“I’m genuinely proud of all of you. Actions like these remind me of why we do this job, and the Department is blessed to have employees like you.”