A Galesburg Police officer was recently recognized among several regional emergency personnel for their contributions, sacrifices, and dedication to public service.
Black Hawk College honored four first responders, including Officer Chris Beaupre with the Galesburg Police Department. The school received 74 award nominations and selected four to be honored.
Beaupre received a certificate of appreciation after being nominated for life-saving actions that took place in March when an impaired driver had gotten their vehicle stuck on railroad tracks near the intersection of Academy and Ferris streets.
Beaupre called for trains to be stopped on the track and as he was assisting the driver, the railroad gate lights came on as a train approached but, because of Beaupre’s request, the train was able to stop before hitting the vehicle.
Also honored were Michael Collins, a firefighter from Muscatine, Gregory Behning, a Lieutenant from the Davenport Police Department, and Andrew Lawler, an officer with the Rock Island Police department was given the First Responders Hero Award by the school.
The awards were presented as part of the First Responders Appreciation and Criminal Justice Career Day at Black Hawk College. The event celebrated area first responders and featured a panel discussion with first responders from a variety of professions.
High school and college students learned about career opportunities and job requirements from police, fire, emergency dispatch, emergency management, emergency medical services, and emergency room professionals. This was the second year for the event.
