Officer awarded for life-saving actions

Moultrie News 3/22/24

A local field training officer’s rapid response to an unconscious individual following a Feb. 12 car collision was lauded at the March 21 Mount Pleasant Chamber of Commerce monthly luncheon at the Omar Shrine Temple.

Mount Pleasant Police Department (MPPD) Chief Mark Arnold shared the actions of P.O. George Tetanich, who upon spotting the unresponsive driver in the area of Hwy 17 and Houston Northcutt Boulevard broke through car glass to gain access.

After inspecting the subject’s bloodshot eyes and breathing pattern, the officer concluded that the motorist was suffering from a drug overdose and proceeded to administer Narcan. After a two-minute wait following the initial dose, Tetanich re-inserted the Narcan container in one of the person’s nostrils and brought them back to consciousness.

“Since 2021, 22 people have lost their lives to due to overdose in our community alone,” recounted Arnold.

“After you’ve had the chance to prevent one more person from losing their life to this epidemic [and] by his quick actions last month, we are proud to have him as part of our agency.”

The Chamber presented Tetanich with a crystal mantelpiece in appreciation of his heroic efforts.