Shenandoah honors Officer Patrick Reed for life‑saving rescue of 11‑year‑old

Shenandoah — The Shenandoah City Council presented a life‑saving award to Shenandoah Police Department Officer Patrick Reed on Jan. 14 for rescuing an 11‑year‑old girl who had climbed over a guardrail on an I‑45 overpass on Oct. 17.

According to the council’s account during the meeting, Officer Reed spotted the distraught child on the overpass around 3:30 p.m., approached and engaged her verbally to delay any jump, and — when she looked away for a moment — pulled her back onto the overpass. Staff said Reed’s prompt action prevented a likely fatal fall.

Chief Patrick (title used in the meeting) and other speakers credited Reed with previous life‑saving actions, including applying tourniquets during traffic accidents, and presented a department citation. A resident who saw video of the incident sent a small token to the department with the inscription “not all heroes wear capes.”

“We are very proud of you,” the mayor said while presenting the award, praising Reed for his dedication and quick action.

There were no public comments tied to the recognition and no formal vote required; the award was presented as part of the council’s recognitions.