By Randall Higgins, Bureau
Chattanooga Times Free Press (Tennessee)
Copyright 2006 Chattanooga Publishing Company
CLEVELAND, Tenn. — Three firefighters received the Cleveland Fire Department’s first three Medal of Valor awards Friday for helping a wounded deputy sheriff in October.
“What they did that morning was nothing short of heroic,” Fire Chief Chuck Atchley said during the presentations.
“I hope when each man looks back on that day they realize they possibly saved a man from dying,” the chief said.
Tim Myers, Hank Pate and Chad Haun were alerted at 6 a.m. on Oct. 28 that a Bradley County deputy had been shot at Taylors Market, a convenience store and gasoline station a short distance from their post at Station 4.
The firefighters ran to the market and began treating Sgt. Bill Coultry within seconds, even though the shooting suspect was thought to be still at the store.
Sheriff Tim Gobble said Sgt. Coultry had been wounded in an “ambushlike’’ attack.
Cleveland police took Larry Q. Hamby into custody a short time later, not far from the scene of the attack. He is charged with attempted first- degree murder, records show.
A mental evaluation has been ordered for Mr. Hamby, whose next court appearance is scheduled for January, records show.
In an appearance last month before the Cleveland City Council, Sgt. Coultry thanked the firefighters and said they probably saved his life.