Seadrift Officer Chris Driver and Calhoun County Paramedic Supervisor Michael Beard were presented Medals of Valor by the City of Seadrift.

Seadrift City Council held a special meeting on May 31, the principal purpose of which was to honor Calhoun County Paramedic Supervisor Michael Beard and Seadrift Officer Chris Driver.
Before making the presentation of the Medals of Valor, Mayor DeForest had these remarks:

“Our awards presentation is to honor two individuals for responding to the call of public service in a manner that is ‘above and beyond’ what is normally faced.

To quote Fred Rogers, of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood: ‘We live in a world in which we need to share responsibility. It’s easy to say ‘its not my child, not my community, not my world, not my problem.’ Then there are those who see the need and respond. I consider those people my heroes.’

Like Mr. Rogers, I consider the people in ‘our neighborhood’, ‘our community’ and ‘our world’ who ‘see the need and respond’ my heroes. Further we should ALL consider those that respond to needs our heroes!

On Friday, April 15th, Glynda Southern Mathis was in her home while her husband was running a short errand to the local store. Within this short time her kitchen caught on fire. As the fire began to spread and 911 calls began flowing into the 911 dispatch center, emergency services were dispatched. Quickly the home began filling with fire and smoke as the fire spread, making it extremely hard for Glynda to breathe. She herself was on the phone with 911, telling them she was unable to vacate the house due to being unable to walk because of medical reasons.

As the emergency dispatch calls went out to all responders, Seadrift Police Officer, Christopher Driver heard the call and responded to the fire. At the same time Calhoun County Emergency Services were responding to the fire with Paramedic Supervisor Michael Beard arriving at about the same time as Officer Chris Driver, and were the first on scene. On hearing that Glynda was still in the burning house Seadrift Officer Chris Driver and Calhoun County Paramedic Supervisor Michael Beard entered, with no thought of their own safety, and pulled the now almost unconscious Glynda from the burning house, thus saving her life.

We are here tonight to honor these two men who have shown distinguished courage, bravery and valor in their call to duty. Courage, bravery and valor can be shown in many ways but these men risked their very lives to save a woman from her burning home, right here in Seadrift.”

Addressing Chris and Michael, the Mayor continued, “Christopher Driver and Michael Beard, today I present you with this Medal of Valor and a Ribbon, to wear on your uniforms for this uncommon bravery. Thank you for your outstanding service to our community.”

Regular Council business was conducted after the ceremony, with the Mayor appointing Council members to head the various departments of the City, as follows:

Robert Chatham – Mayor Pro-Tem, in charge of Public Utilities, Water and Sewer

Johnny Mikalos – Alternate Mayor Pro-Tem, in charge of the Harbor, waterways, and boat ramps

Jack LaBarge – Streets and Drainage

Wesley Hunt- Seadrift Area Volunteer Emergency Services and Police

Don Miller – Parks and Recreation

With Jack LaBarge newly-elected to the City Council, a vacancy was created on the Planning Commission. Eldon Gaines was appointed to fill that vacancy for a two year term. Another Planning Commission appointment will soon be announced.