Officer honored for child rescue

Moultrie News 10/17/24

A local police officer's poise and professionalism in aiding to a lost child with autism on Sept. 27 were publicly lauded during the presentation of the Mount Pleasant Chamber of Commerce's First Responder of the Month.

Police Chief Mark Arnold kick started the Oct. 17 Mount Pleasant Chamber of Commerce Luncheon by acknowledging the efforts of Senior Police Office James Jacksa, whose experience as a lifeguard proved vital.

With the assistance of the department's K9 unit, Jacksa located the nonverbal youngster swimming in a retention pond on the north side of town. The responding officer proceeded to remove his duty belt and gear to swim out to the lost child and converse with them in a calm manner.

Jacksa successfully encouraged the child to come to him, continued Arnold, and returned the juvenile to their parents.

The police chief was complimentary of how Jacksa assessed the scenario before him.
"Thank you for your cool-level headedness, your experience, the way you handled the situation and problem solving. Great job," communicated Arnold.

Jacksa was the recipient of a handsome mantelpiece sponsored by Pinnacle Financial Partners for his heroic actions.

Prior to the award presentation, Chamber General Counsel Edward Phipps relayed a story from his own past life as a local police officer in which he utilized his problem-solving acumen.

He recalled how he answered the call of a Cadillac wedged on the old Silas N. Pearman Bridge that was blocking all traffic flow back in the 1990s.

Upon arriving to the scene, Phipps suggested turning the car sideways to allow other vehicles to cross the bridge.

"[An] officer looks at me and goes: 'Man, I could've done that.' Yeah, but you didn't, you didn't do it. And so, that's a trait, thinking outside the box, assessing," observed the Mount Pleasant-based attorney.