July 27, 2006

EAST LANSING.  The Michigan State Police (MSP) is pleased to announce that Trooper J. Andrew Williams of the Flint Post received the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police (MACP) Distinguished Service Medal at a ceremony last night.  The award is given for exceptionally meritorious conduct involving exemplary courage, great risk and danger to an officer?s personal safety.   

On Sept. 21, 2005, Williams was dispatched to a mobile home fire in which two people were trapped inside.  Williams entered the smoke-filled home, feeling his way through the burning hallway until he located a 2-year old and a disabled female in a rear bedroom. 

When he attempted to exit with the child, he found the front of the home, where he entered, engulfed in flames.  Williams quickly located a back-door and carried the child outside to a waiting deputy paramedic from the Genesee County Sheriff?s Department.  Williams and another deputy paramedic then re-entered the burning home and carried the female out of the residence.  Within minutes of both subjects being evacuated, the home was overtaken by flames.

Williams was honored with the MSP Bravery Award in January for the same incident.

Williams joined the department in 2000, and graduated as a member of the 119^th Trooper Recruit School.  After graduation, he was assigned to the Flint Post where he has served for five years.  A native of Breckenridge, Williams currently resides in Chesaning with his wife, Stacey, and their three children, Tanner, Hayden and Raelyn.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

First Lieutenant Richard Arnold, Flint Post commander, (810) 732-1111