The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund is proud to recognize Lieutenant Aaron Phipps of the Calhoun County (MI) Sheriff’s Department as the July 2023 Officer of the Month and Lieutenant Corey Brooks of the Salisbury (NC) Police Department as the August 2023 Officer of the Month. This well-deserved recognition goes to each of them for their remarkable acts of heroism.
July 2023 Officer of the Month
In a time where acts of heroism and selflessness are paramount, the remarkable and life-saving actions of Lieutenant Aaron Phipps of the Calhoun County (Michigan) Sheriff’s Department saved the life of a young victim.
On June 24, 2023, Lieutenant Phipps, accompanied by two officers, swiftly responded to a distress call marked by a caller’s frantic screams on the phone, coupled with the unsettling cries of a child in the background. Upon their arrival at the scene, they entered the distressed caller’s residence, where they heard unsettling noises coming from behind a locked door. Recognizing the urgency of the situation, Lieutenant Phipps promptly kicked in the door, revealing a female suspect physically holding down a child, attempting to drown the young victim. Without hesitation, Lieutenant Phipps rescued the unconscious child from the bathtub, and performed CPR, successfully reviving the child, while the other officers apprehended the suspect. Marshall Area Firefighters Ambulance (MAFA) responded to the scene and transported the child to Henry Ford Hospital in Jackson, MI for further medical attention.
“In the darkest of moments, it is the bravery and commitment of Lieutenant Phipps that remind us of the extraordinary sacrifices made by law enforcement every day,” said Bill Alexander, chief executive officer of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. “His heroic actions exemplify the very best of our law enforcement community and we are proud to recognize Lieutenant Phipps as Officer of the Month.”
August 2023 Officer of the Month
A remarkable act of heroism in rescuing a non-responsive truck driver from a burning tractor-trailer on the interstate highway has earned Lieutenant Corey Brooks of the Salisbury (North Carolina) Police Department this well-deserved recognition.
On Tuesday, August 8, 2023, Lt. Brooks was responding to a separate incident in the late hours of the evening. While driving on Interstate 85, he witnessed an accident where a tractor-trailer collided with a retaining wall, igniting into a fierce blaze. In a split second, the lieutenant displayed unwavering courage, springing into action. He quickly approached the burning truck’s cab, where he discovered the unconscious driver, trapped inside. Without hesitation, Brooks swiftly informed the authorities via his radio and displayed remarkable heroism by extracting the unresponsive driver from the passenger seat of the tractor-trailer.
“Lieutenant Corey Brooks’s selfless actions exemplify the highest standards of law enforcement and service to the community,” said Bill Alexander. “His courage and quick thinking in the face of danger are nothing short of heroic, and we are honored to recognize him as our Officer of the Month for August 2023.”
Brooks has more than two decades of experience in law enforcement, beginning his career with the East Spencer (NC) Police Department in 1998. He has earned a number of accolades throughout his tenure, including the City of Salisbury Keys to Excellence Bronze Award, Salisbury Police Veteran Officer of the Year, the 2016 Blue Line Brother Hood Award, and the Lions Club Salisbury Police Veteran of the Year award.