MAYOR HONORS CIVILIAN, LETTER CARRIER
AND APD LIEUTENANT FOR HEROISM

At a morning news conference, Mayor Don Plusquellic today honored three men for their lifesaving efforts. Letter carrier Kevin Cooper, Akron Police Department Lt. Jerry Hughes and Gene Barker each received the Mayor’s Distinguished Service Award for acts of heroism that saved the lives of three persons.

Mayor Plusquellic honored 59 year old Gene Barker, a passer-by on the All-America Bridge Sunday morning, July 30, who reached out for a woman as she flung herself from the span. Barker caught the woman in mid air, and held her in a bear hug until several citizens, police and EMS crews arrived to assist in getting the woman safely back on the bridge sidewalk. Officers Mark Hagen and Jim Kroah assisted in getting the victim back over the railing.

Barker, a retired mason, said the danger to his own life never entered his mind. "I just did something probably anyone would have done in that spot. I feel good about being there at a time where I could help," Barker said this morning.

Mayor Plusquellic called Barker’s actions fearless, saying, "Mr. Barker risked his own life, risked being pulled over the bridge while extending his body over the railing to grab the woman. This was an act of selfless courage."

Also honored was Akron postal carrier, 30-year old Kevin Cooper. Cooper’s route is in the Kenmore area of the city. On Saturday morning, June 17, a man stopped Cooper on his route and asked him if he knew CPR. Cooper ran to the man’s house on Kilgore Street where two-year-old Austin Dykes had fallen into the family swimming pool. Austin was not breathing when Cooper arrived. Cooper, who has paramedic training, performed CPR and the boy began to breathe. Austin later recovered at Children’s Hospital.

Cooper said of the experience, "I don’t look at myself as a hero. I did what anyone would have done in the same situation."

Mayor Plusquellic said of Cooper, "I’ve known Kevin for many years, and it does not surprise me a bit that when someone came to him asking for help he responded immediately, acted with courage, and then downplayed such a heroic act."

Akron police Lt. Jerry Hughes prevented a man from ending his life on Sunday, July 16 when Hughes---in similar fashion to Barker---grabbed the man in a bear hug and kept him from jumping from the All-America Bridge. The man was actually a suspect Lt. Hughes began chasing in his cruiser after a speeding car passed the cruiser as it entered the driveway of the Stubbs Justice Center downtown. The car then ran a red light before heading onto the bridge where the suspect emerged and climbed a railing. Though the man outweighed Lt. Hughes by an estimated 60 pounds, Hughes was able to hold him until other officers assisted in pulling the man to safety.

Lt. Hughes said he treats persons in these types of cases as he would if they were a member of his own family. "I always try to keep in mind how I would want this person to be treated if it were my brother, sister, mother or father. Keeping that in mind keeps me focused on doing the best job possible."

Mayor Plusquellic called the officer’s actions heroic, saying, "Lt. Hughes was at an obvious disadvantage in terms of physical stature, yet he courageously put his life on the line to save another person’s life."

The mayor presented each of the men with his Distinguished Service Award.

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