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Apalachicola Police Officer Saluted for Valor
A standing ovation greeted Apalachicola Police Officer Anthony Croom, Jr. at the July 8 city commission meeting, as the young officer was saluted for her valor in connection with the evacuation of a duplex that caught on fire June 21 after a lightning strike.
Mayo Van Johnson read from an anonymous email, send June 25, that praised Croom for his actions that morning at 115 7th Street. Grayson Shepard, Jamie Ponder and Clifford Johnson all resided at the home, although none were injured as a result of the fire.
"In the early morning of June 21, my brother's house caught on fire," read the email. "I was emotional distraught but yet overwhelmed by the Apalachicola police officer. (He) was the first to arrive on the scene at my brother's home while it was full engulfed in fire.
"That officer came to me and asked ‘Was there anyone in the home?' I said I don't know," the email continued. "But the courageous thing that the officer did, was that there was another house that was next door to my brother's and it had caught on fire also and the people was still inside the house.
"I saw Officer Croom go to every window beating on the house to get that family out of there, and then go underneath the porch that was ablaze and boiling with flames to open the door and go get the family, with both houses over filled with smoke," read the email.
"It wasn't taken lightly that this particular officer arrived on the scene," it continued. "It was by far a blessing and honor to have him on the scene of that fire. But the part that touched me the most was that the neighbor had just got off work ad went to sleep. And we all know that the smoke alone can take you away.
"But it was just the perfect time that the officer came and awoke Mr. Johnson," the email closed, thanking the mayor and police chief as well. "As a resident of Apalachicola, I very grateful to have this police department. Thank you greatly, Officer Croom. You're greatly appreciated."
Croom, the son of Tammi and Anthony Croom, Sr., of Apalachicola, has been with the department for two years, after receiving police training at Chipola College and Tallahassee Community College's Pat Thomas Law Enforcement Academy.
