The Griffin Police Department (GPD) recently awarded the department’s “Meritorious Conduct Award” to one of its uniform patrol officers for his actions during an apartment fire.

Patrolman Travis Wick received the award for his service at a fire scene the night of Feb. 15. Griffin Fire-Rescue firefighters and Griffin Police Department officers responded to a structure fire at 640 W. Poplar St.

Heavy smoke was observed coming from multiple points of a multi-family apartment building as the firefighters and police officers arrived at the scene. While firefighters prepared to fight the fire, Wick believed that apartments in the building were still occupied.

Despite the risk of injury, Wick approached the apartments and began knocking on all of the doors to alert the residents. He was able to awaken the occupants of an apartment who were sleeping after knocking on several doors. They were unaware their residence was on fire.

Wick evacuated the occupants to safety. He later made arrangements through The Salvation Army to provide for them so that they would have a place to stay the rest of the evening.

GPD Chief Frank Strickland said in his commendation letter to Wick, “Your ‘calm under fire’ awareness of the situation and concern for the safety of others resulted in the safe evacuation of the residents and the possible avoidance of injury or death of a citizen. I want to take this opportunity to personally thank you for the professionalism that you demonstrated in this incident and continually demonstrate as an officer of the Griffin Police Department.”

Lt. Darrell Dix of the GPD’s Office of the Chief said, “This is one of those circumstances where it is a pleasure to receive notification of a patrolman’s actions from his supervisors. His supervisors completed the initial commendation form and forwarded it to the chief.”

Dix conducted an investigation to establish the facts of the incident and which award was applicable according to the GPD’s policy. He forwarded his results to the chief and the award was approved. Wick received a commendation letter and an award bar to wear on his uniform shirt.

Wick is assigned to the GPD’s Uniform Patrol Division and is on A-Shift. He has been a police officer since 2002 and has been with the GPD since 2009.