As part of National Police Week IMPD Sergeant Matthew Morgan was honored as an honorable mention for the prestigious TOP COPS award. This incident received media attention in August 2017.
On August 7th, 2017 Sergeant Morgan responded to a person struck by a train behind the Garden City Elementary School located at 4901 Rockville Road, Indianapolis, In.
Sergeant Morgan had detailed knowledge of the area from working the district for the past 15 years. He knew there was a path through a creek leading up to the tracks, which are otherwise inaccessible due to fencing. He waded through the creek and climbed a steep hill to get to the sounds of a crying female victim.
Once he arrived he discovered that the victim was 11 year old Breanna Brooks. Breanna lived nearby in a trailer park and was playing on the tracks with her friends when she was struck. Sergeant Morgan pushed Breanna’s shredded tissue back in place, which was necessary before he could apply the tourniquet. He then applied the tourniquet and continued lifesaving efforts. Breanna was crying asking if she was going to die. Sergeant Morgan comforted her and assured her she was not.
He ordered officers responding to the scene to nearby convenience stores to grab bags of ice hoping Breanna’s leg could be re-attached if put on ice in time. The nearest help was 5 minutes away due to the limited access to the area and the train still being on the track.
The medic that arrived was new and overwhelmed by the sight and unable to assist. Sergeant Morgan actually carried Breanna to the ambulance.
Had it not been for Sergeant Morgan’s knowledge of the area and calm demeanor Breanna would most likely not survived. Doctors were unable to reattach Breanna’s leg. Sergeant Morgan visited her in the hospital and had a “lunch date” with her later in the week bringing her McDonald’s.
His efforts attracted so much attention local first responders banded together and later built a handicapped ramp for Breanna at her home.
About National Police Week History:
In 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation which designated May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week in which that date falls as Police Week. Currently, tens of thousands of law enforcement officers from around the world converge on Washington, DC to participate in a number of planned events which honor those that have paid the ultimate sacrifice.
The Memorial Service began in 1982 as a gathering in Senate Park of approximately 120 survivors and supporters of law enforcement. Decades later, the event, more commonly known as National Police Week, has grown to a series of events which attracts thousands of survivors and law enforcement officers to our Nation’s Capital each year.
The National Peace Officers Memorial Service, which is sponsored by the Grand Lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police, is one in a series of events which includes the Candlelight Vigil, which is sponsored by the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF) and seminars sponsored by Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.)
National Police Week draws in between 25,000 to 40,000 attendees. The attendees come from departments throughout the United States as well as from agencies throughout the world. This provides a unique opportunity to meet others who work in law enforcement.
