Police Captain Olson honored for bravery on duty
Police Captain Chris Olson was honored Tuesday at the beginning of the City Council meeting by Police Chief Ryan Walker for his bravery in an incident that happened Feb. 28, 2007, according to Walker.
According to Walker, “It was from an incident several years ago that Captain Olson never received recognition for. We have recently had calls regarding this individual is why this came back up. After discussion with Sgt. Davis, we felt that he was overdue an award for his bravery that day.”
On the certificate, it states: “On February 28th, 2007, an Officer named Ryan Walker was assigned dayshift patrol duties. You, a part-time Officer with the Department, decided to help Officer Walker that day by patrolling the town with him. Two-Officer units were and seemingly always have been rare and Officer Walker was fortunate to have your help on this date.
“At approximately 12:30pm Benton County Central Dispatch notified you of a ‘disturbance in progress’ at a residence and the two of you responded to the scene. At the residence, Officer Walker approached a female suspect whom was close to a vehicle. You approached the suspect’s father. As Officer Walker attempted to speak with the female, she quickly entered the vehicle and sat in the driver seat. Officer Walker pursued her due to safety concerns and her unknown intentions.
“A struggle ensued between Officer Walker and the suspect as he attempted to remove her from the seat of the vehicle. As Officer Walker was attempting to extract the suspect from the seat, he noted she was holding a ballpoint pen in one of her hands and was
already attempting to bring the pen down in a stabbing motion toward his neck. Officer Walker indicated as this action occurred he realized what was happening, but stated he did not have time to attempt to block her attack. He stated he tensed in anticipation of the blow and remembered thinking to himself ‘this is going to hurt.’
“The next thing he saw was another hand grabbing her stabbing hand to prevent the attack. Unbeknownst to him (and due to your experience, training, and quick actions), you had recognized the struggle and safety concern she was causing and you had responded to aid him with the combative suspect. You also had recognized the stabbing attack and had put yourself in a position to neutralize said attack which undoubtedly saved Officer Walker from a potential life-threatening injury. Officer Walker described the incident as potentially ‘career ending’ to him if not life ending if you had not been there to help.
“Thank you, Chris Olson, for your bravery on that day and continued service to the City of Pea Ridge and the Pea Ridge Police Department.”