Olmsted Falls honors two officers with awards for life‑saving responses

Sgt. Kim Flood presented Awards of Meritorious Conduct to two Olmsted Falls police officers during the Sept. 23 Olmsted Falls City Council meeting.

Flood read a letter from Olmsted Township firefighters praising Officer Jim Hughes for his actions on May 6, 2025, when Hughes assisted with medical rescue on the field after a young male lacrosse player was found unconscious and not breathing. The letter, read aloud by Flood, stated the department extended “our sincere gratitude for your assistance on the evening of May 6, 2025,” and praised Hughes’s “calm demeanor under pressure” and seamless integration with the fire team. Flood presented Hughes with the Award of Meritorious Conduct.

The council also recognized Officer Tom Lang (badge 5626) for his work on June 15, 2025. According to Flood’s remarks, Lang used Flock license‑plate camera hits to identify a vehicle associated with a missing, suicidal resident, researched hotels in the area while still on scene, and coordinated with Liberty Township Police. Liberty Township officers located the vehicle and the resident in Room 227; the resident was transported to a hospital after staff found a suicide note. Flood said Lang’s diligence and investigative detail “directly helped save that man’s life.”

Mayor James P. Graven and Police Chief Odis Rogers praised both officers during the meeting, noting the department’s collaboration with neighboring agencies. No formal action was required for the presentations; the awards were ceremonial recognitions recorded in the meeting minutes.