Medal for Cartersville Police Officer Credited with Saving Life

A rookie Cartersville Police Department officer credited with saving a car crash victim's life got a medal Wednesday for his actions.

Josh Downer was off duty when he happened upon a serious auto accident Aug. 9 on Highway 411 in nearby White in Bartow County, according to Chief Thomas "Tommy" Culpepper, who presented the Life Saving Medal at police headquarters in a Wednesday ceremony attended by family, friends and colleagues.

Downer began performing CPR on one of the motorists, who appeared to be unconscious and not breathing, and did so until emergency medical crews arrived on the scene of the Friday crash.

The victim, who was in cardiac arrest, was taken to the hospital and survived, but most likely would not have lived if Downer had not performed CPR, first responders say.

Downer, also a member of the National Guard, has been with CPD since November of 2012, and graduated from the police academy in March.

"I am very proud of Officer Downer’s reaction to this unfortunate situation," Culpepper said in a news release. "Although relatively new to law enforcement, Officer Downer’s training enabled him to take action without hesitation."

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