We are proud to announce that the Pearl Police Department Officer of the Month is Corporal Tammy Fitzhugh. She started work at the Pearl Police Department in 2010 and graduated from MLEOTA in November 2011. On December 20, 2014, at approximately 10:30 am officers with the Pearl Police Department were notified of a suspect vehicle occupied by two male subjects seen stealing gas cans and other items from underneath a carport. The concerned citizen notified dispatch and then began following the suspect vehicle throughout other residential areas of the city awaiting police to arrive. The suspect vehicle was encountered by responding patrol units. The driver was quickly taken into custody, but not before the passenger jumped out of the vehicle and fled on foot through the nearby residential area. Additional officers arrived to the area and established a perimeter. Approximately 10 minutes later, Officer Fitzhugh spotted the second suspect behind Paradise Pools and Spa as he was running out of the woods towards her. Officer Fitzhugh gave the suspect several commands to stop and show his hands, yet he continued charging toward her. Officer Fitzhugh had the presence of mind to notice the suspect wasn't exhibiting a weapon so she used a non-lethal method of apprehension by the deployment of her tazer. Officer Fitzhugh then held the suspect at bay, while waiting on responding back up units to assist her to take the male subject into custody. After taking both subjects into custody, it was discovered the two suspects had stolen recently delivered Fed-Ex Christmas packages from the carports of the residential areas along with other various types of personal property. As a result the suspects were charged with the following charges: petit larceny - (3 counts), disobeying a police officer, resisting arrest, possession of burglary tools, contempt of court, possession of drug paraphernalia, reckless driving, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. If asked, Officer Fitzhugh would tell you that it was a team effort that led to the successful apprehension of both subjects that day. And it was. However, at a time when constant focus is placed on the decisiveness of a law enforcement officer to make the correct call and be willing to accept all liability while not allowing the suspect to get away, Officer Tammy Fitzhugh exhibited the desire to apprehend the criminal element and to restore justice to their victims.
The Pearl Chamber of Commerce presented Corporal Fitzhugh with a framed certificate, a $100 Wal-Mart gift card and roses from Bouquets of Pearl. Jose’s Mexican Restaurant donated a $20 gift certificate, Buckley Security donated a $25 AllyOops gift certificate, MedScreens donated a $25 Kroger gift card, Moss Creek Fish House donated a $25 gift card, Cracker Barrel donated a gift basket complete with a gift card for 2 complete meals and Signmark donated a soft side cooler.
