Security Officer of the Year

- James W. South III -

Houston Security Officer Saves Lives
By J.W. Muzquiz, Director of Operations, Texas Crime Patrol

On June 22, 2004 Texas Crime Patrol security officers J.W. South III (19) and B. Murray (46), were working a multi family housing project (HUD) in southeast Houston when the officers observed heavy smoke originating from one of the buildings at approximately 5:40 p.m. 

The officers immediately responded to the area and took swift and decisive action. Onlookers advised Officer South that children were still in the building and so he began a search of the apartments in the immediate vicinity of the fire. In the meantime, Officer Murray set up a perimeter and crowd control. While searching the apartments, Officer South came upon a male in an upstairs apartment, which was heavily covered by fire and smoke. The male, semi-conscious, was unable to leave the apartment on his own and was rescued by Officer South who � without regard for the fire, smoke or for his personal safety � removed the victim from the burning upstairs apartment to a safe area prior to the Houston Fire Department's arrival. The male was transported to a hospital and will recover. 

Officer South received smoke inhalation and was checked by paramedics at the scene. Fortunately no children were in the affected apartments and no other persons were injured in the incident. The cause of the fire is under investigation. 

Officer South was interviewed by several media stations including KHOU-TV, CH.11; KTRK-TV, CH-13; KRIV-TV, CH-26, and was referred to as a lifesaver! 

Texas Crime Patrol would also like to take this opportunity to thank the Houston Independent School District Police Department Officers for their assistance with traffic control in the area and for the outstanding performance of the Houston Fire Department on this incident.

About the ASSIST Security Officer of the Year Award:

The purpose of this award is to determine the outstanding individual Security Officer employee, based on entries submitted by their employer or others, who excelled in the discharge of his or her duties by taking exemplary on-duty action while either on-duty or off for Initiative and dedication to duty with the Security Company they work at or to protect life and/or property when it was threatened by crime, accident, nature or other event. The Security Officer must have been regulated by the Security Industry in the State of Texas, as regulated by The Texas Commission on Private Security. 

This will not include Commissioned Law Enforcement Officers, as they are recognized in many other forums.

1. ALL submissions are considered, whether or not the Company or the Officer are ASSIST Members.
   
   
2. There is no consideration given as to whether the Officer works for a Contract Guard Company or a Proprietary (In House) Security Department. 
   
   
3. The salary level of the nominee is of no consequence.
   
   
4. The educational level achieved by the individual will not be part of the evaluation process.
   
   
5. The evaluation will be based on the documents submitted. It is not within the responsibility of the evaluation process to verify facts or conduct additional investigations to determine other material information. 
   
   
6. A Significant heroic act, or acts, will be given careful consideration in the evaluation process. 
   
   
7. The first element in the evaluation process will be based on the overall performance in the employee�s job description. 
   
   
8. The second element will be based on additional responsibilities and performance over and above those required in the performance of their job.
   
   
9. Additional consideration will be given to those who have performed their jobs so as to add favorably to the public perception of the Security Industry, their Company and their own personal stature.
   
   
10. In addition to the Outstanding Security Officer of the Year award:  Submissions, during this process, of others who have performed their duties at a notable level above and beyond expectations within the Industry, will be recognized.

CRITERIA:  Successful resolution of a critical or non-critical situation, which, if not for the efforts of the nominee, could have resulted in the success or image of a Security Company, contributing to organizations in the field of Security, or of a loss of life and/or property. Nominations will be evaluated based on the level of involvement in the company or risk to life and/or property, and the professionalism of actions taken by the nominee.

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