Deputies honored for heroism; road crews praised at quorum court meeting

Above: Independence County Sheriff Shawn Stephens stands with Cpl. Keashawn Robinson (left image) and Officer Cheyanne Malloy (right image)

Article by Emily Wang, White River Now

Independence County officials recognized local law enforcement officers and road department crews for acts of heroism and public service during this week’s quorum court meeting.

Cpl. Keashawn Robinson and Officer Cheyanne Malloy were commended for their life-saving response to a fiery one-vehicle crash in the early hours of March 23.

Robinson arrived at the scene to find a truck had crashed and caught fire. He began efforts to remove the victim from the vehicle, while Malloy used a fire extinguisher to briefly suppress the flames. Robinson pulled the victim from the burning truck and began a medical evaluation.

The sheriff’s office was operating with a reduced staff that day, and Robinson had volunteered to work an extra shift. Sheriff Shawn Stephens recognized the officers for going beyond the call of duty and risking their lives to save a county resident.

(Click here for a report from Region 8 News regarding the incident.)

The Independence County Road Department (pictured below, with Jeffery) also received recognition by county proclamation for its rapid response during recent natural disasters.

“The night of the tornado, even before tornado touchdown, the road department men were calling me saying, ‘They are ready to go, just make the call,’” County Judge Kevin Jeffery said. “After the tornado touchdown, emergency responders were on the scene within eight minutes, and the county was there with men, saws, backhoes, and skid steers to clear a path to victims’ homes.”

Jeffery and three road crews worked through the night until 5 a.m. clearing roads, with several workers returning by 8 a.m. to continue the effort. During the subsequent flooding, the department coordinated road closures, delivered sandbags to Batesville and Oil Trough, and placed barricades across the county to ensure public safety during flash floods.

In other business, the quorum court approved several ordinances, including one allowing for a fund transfer to replace the Office of Emergency Management director’s vehicle, which was totaled when struck by a driver who ran a red light. Another ordinance established a new disaster relief fund to help the county respond to future emergencies and a third amended previous legislation to permit the promotion of certain jail staff to the rank of corporal.

Images: Independence County Sheriff’s Office, Independence County Judge Kevin Jeffery