Acting Chief Deputy Christopher R. Donelson receives the Life Saving Award Wednesday during the Tucker County Commission meeting. Tucker County Sheriff Brian K. Wilfong said on April 10, Donelson along with Justin J. Schmidle of the West Virginia State Police responded to a burglary and kidnapping complaint from the Tucker County 911 Office. He said as information was relayed to the two officers, it became apparent that the victim’s life was in jeopardy. Officers were joined by WV State Police Cpl. Daniel W. Burge as they traveled to Bayard in Grant County. Wilfong said Donelson and the other officers located the assailant who was dragging the victim toward the river. He said the alleged victim said the assailant planned to kill her. Wilfong said the award is given for the officer’s quick action and said they were vitally important to the protection of the life of the victim and the apprehension of the assailant before he could cause any more harm.
Tucker County Commissioners recognized those that helped with a burglary and kidnapping complaint April 10. Commissioners thanked WV State Police Cpl. Daniel Burge, Trooper 1st Class J.J. Schmidle, Trooper 1st Class N.E. Higginbotham, Chief Deputy Christopher Donelson, the two 911 dispatchers, Pat Gray and J.D. Diehl. Tucker County Prosecuting Attorney Ray LaMora III said the assailant had plans to drown the victim in the river and said if it were not for the quick response from the law enforcement officers and the 911 dispatchers, the incident may well have turned out different and resulted in a death.
