Council honors officer and volunteer for Utah Lake rescue

American Fork’s City Council presented a hero award Oct. 28 to Officer Greg Meekum of the American Fork Police Department and volunteer Alvin Slaymaker for their roles in rescuing a 70‑year‑old man who had fallen from his kayak and was struggling to stay afloat on June 24.

The mayor told the chamber the man’s wife had called 911 and the location was uncertain. According to the mayor’s remarks, Meekum and Slaymaker were able to geolocate the man by cell phone, reach him and pull him from the water; medical personnel met them on shore. The mayor said the rescued man later wrote to the department, “I called 911 yesterday, and you guys saved me. I’d just like to say thank you to the officers and paramedics who helped me.”

Officer Greg Meekum described how the response unfolded: “I was on a traffic stop nearby when the call came out. And I thought, well, I’ll just run down there. There’s not much I can do. And he was pulling out of his boat when I pulled in.” Meekum said he asked if another boat was available and the boater who became the volunteer partner returned to help, and together they launched to the man’s location.

The mayor praised both men for “initiative, bravery, and an unwavering commitment to serve others” and presented each with a hero award, declaring Oct. 28, 2025, to be Officer Greg Meekum and Alvin Slaymaker Day in American Fork. Council members and staff offered additional thanks and brief personal remarks about public safety service.

Ending note The recognition highlighted a coordination between police and a private citizen that city leaders said saved a life; the council framed the award as an example of community partnership and public‑safety professionalism.