The Cobb County Chamber of Commerce at a ceremony at the Cobb Galleria October 5 awarded Marietta Senior Patrol Officer Michael Carlson the Medal of Valor for stopping a wrong way driver on Interstate 75 last year.
“In a very skillful and courageous way, Officer Carlson placed himself directly in harm’s way by using his vehicle to get the driver’s attention, slow him down and get him safely off the road, undoubtedly preventing a potentially deadly head on collision,” Marietta Police Chief Dan Flynn said.
Carlson has been with Marietta Police Department for six years and is currently assigned to the Community Response Unit and the SWAT team. He also received the Marietta Police Department Medal of Valor for his heroic actions during this incident during the 2007 Marietta Police Department Annual Awards Banquet.
Carlson was one of 16 nominations the Cobb Chamber received for recognition of employees from public safety agencies throughout Cobb County, including police, fire, sheriff’s office, campus police, EMS and innovative programs.
The annual event honors public safety officials, including police, fire and EMS for their commitment and personal sacrifice to the community they serve.
About Public Safety Appreciation Week
Area businesses, civic groups, schools and places of worship are encouraged to participate in Public Safety Appreciation Week October 5-11. Posters about the week and a list of public safety resources and programs, such as fire extinguisher classes and disaster planning, available for use in the business community and schools are available at the Cobb Chamber of Commerce.
