On May 11, 2022, Sweet Home Police Detective Geoff Hamlin received a Commendation for his actions during a February 24, 2022, elder in danger assistance call.
Community member Peggi Rush brought his actions to the attention of City Council, Chief Jeff Lynn and Captain Jason Ogden during the May 10th Sweet Home City Council, where she shared her February encounter.
Peggi Rush said, "I had a series of events take place at the end of February with my mother, who has stage four Alzheimer's. We had a little trying time with my mother wanting to wander and not having a power of attorney or a guardianship. I was limited to what I could do. I couldn't hold her in my house. That's a kidnap, holding her against her will. She went out, of course, in a late February snow flurry. No coat, no hat, tennis shoes, and I just wanted to commend Officer Geoff Hamlin. He convinced her to go to Samaritan in Lebanon, and he took the time to come into my home with me and talk to someone that gave me a direction on how to go with my mom. And I'm proud to say that I got guardianship of my mother and she's now in a memory care facility in Albany and it wouldn't have happened without Officer Hamlin."
Due to Peggi Rush's statement, on Wednesday, May 11, 2022, Captain Jason Ogden awarded Detective Geoff Hamlin with a challenge coin & a commendation. Capt. Ogden said, "I personally want to thank you for going above and beyond for a member of our community. I cannot tell you how good it felt to hear those words of gratitude being communicated by someone who reached to us for help. At a time when law enforcement is being scrutinized more than ever, your words and actions demonstrated what it truly means to be a public servant."
The Sweet Home Police Department's mission statement is "To work in partnership with our community, to protect the public and prevent crime while providing the highest quality police services to all." Detective Hamlin embodies this mission.
Please click here to see the commendation.
Original source can be found here.
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