The Odessa Police Department and Chief Michael Gerke recently commended and awarded Willie Woods and nurse Tela Monroe the Certificate of Commendation for their selfless actions of stopping and rendering aid to an injured citizen. LaDarius Jackson will also be receiving a plaque for this incident.
On Jan. 9, 2020, an unfortunate traffic collision occurred where a vehicle inadvertently struck a pedestrian. Without hesitation, Woods immediately responded to the downed person and administered first aid to the victim and comforted her through the entire ordeal. A short time later, another citizen, Monroe, a registered nurse, drove up on the collision and, without hesitation, immediately took control and gave professional guidance. The victim’s injuries were grievous, and Monroe and Woods worked collectively with emergency responders and conducted a C-Spine roll of the victim on her back to open her airway. Upon doing so, the victim began deeper labored breathing and eventually started to show signs of coherence.
Without the actions of these two citizens, there is a likelihood that the victim of this crash would have suffered a more severe injury and possible death.
