Gulfport Police Awards Ceremony

Today the Gulfport Police Department took the time to celebrate and honor their employees and officers who went above and beyond the call of duty over the last six months.
Mayor Billy Hewes and several other city leaders gathered at the Handsboro Community Center as the retirees, officers, and civilians were awarded. Two officers who have only been on the force for a little more than a year were award officers of the month for February 2017.
Officer Manual Santos and Officer David Farmer were successful in talking down a man ready to jump from the top of the Hancock Bank Building in downtown Gulfport. The two say they’re humbled to be recognized. “As he was sitting there, I started talking to him and tried to be personal with him and you know get him to talk to me and distract him and as I distracted him, Officer Santos came from the other side and was able to pretty much grab the individual. As he grabbed him, he actually tried to pull Officer Santos off the wall with him and I was able to grab both of them and get them off the wall, get him secured, and get medical help for him,” said Officer Farmer.
The Gulfport Police Department takes the time to honor their officers and employees twice a year.