ATWOOD, Ill. (WAND) - An Atwood police officer who was seriously injured while on the job has been honored with the Law Enforcement Purple Heart medal.
On Jan. 2, 2024, while on duty with the Atwood Police Department, Officer Edward W. Powell, was called to South Main St. in Atwood to help a Douglas County Sheriff's deputy. The deputy was struggling with a suspect who was violently resisting arrest.
Officer Powell jumped in to help the deputy gain control of the suspect and was injured during the struggle so badly that he was unable to work for about four months.
Officer Powell was awarded the Law Enforcement Order of the Purple Heart in recognition of his bravery and self-sacrifice
He received the medal at the Atwood Village Board Meeting Monday evening.
The medal was presented by Atwood Police Chief Joe Duncan and Douglas County Sheriff Nathan Chaplin, and he was pinned by his wife.
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