If not for the efforts of Puget Sound Fire Firefighter Jim Blatt, a Kent Police officer might not have been able to wrestle away a handgun from a man during an incident earlier this year.<\/p>\n
Blatt received the Chief’s Award for Valor from Kent Police Chief Ken Thomas at the Tuesday City Council meeting for assisting Officer Andrew Reed, “in a dire situation that could have ended tragically,” Thomas said.<\/p>\n
At about 2:14 a.m. on Jan. 18, Reed began to investigate an injury traffic collision.<\/p>\n
”It was suspected one of the drivers was DUI so Officer Reed observed him as he searched for his vehicle registration,” Thomas said. “Moments later the driver pulled out a handgun from underneath some papers. Officer Reed quickly seized him in order to control the subject and the firearm.<\/p>\n
“Firefighter Blatt – who was on the scene rendering aid – immediately jumped in and assisted with controlling the suspect against the vehicle. After the subject dropped the gun, Blatt assisted until the man was handcuffed.”<\/p>\n
Reed reported to Thomas that Blatt didn’t simply assist but that his actions were instrumental in subduing the suspect’s arms and his ability to use the firearm.<\/p>\n
“If he had not done what he did, the situation would have had a drastically different outcome,” Thomas said.<\/p>\n
The chief presented a plaque to Blatt at the council meeting.<\/p>\n
“Firefighter Blatt didn’t hesitate for a moment to help,” Thomas said. “He is being commended for his disregard for his own personal safety to assist Officer Reed and help control a situation that could have been critically dangerous for everybody at the scene.”<\/p>\n
The council and people in the Council Chamber gave Blatt a standing ovation.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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