Police Chief praises response of Cordele officers after Vienna mass shooting

Police Chief praises response of Cordele officers after Vienna mass shooting

Published 6:44 pm Saturday, October 10, 2026

Cordele Police Chief Danny Hicks presented the life-saving award to Officer Charittee Walker on Oct. 6 at the Cordele Commission meeting. He also praised the response of officers after the Dooly County mass shooting who helped patients who were rushed to the hospital.

Walker responded to an 87-year-old who had a medical emergency. Walker performed CPR, contributing to the survival of the patient. Her response earned her praise by members of the fire department, who often respond to medical emergencies.

After Walker’s save, she and officers Ernest Stephens, La’Dreamia Paul, Gregory Crapp and Corporal Kaleb Spradley assisted the victims of the Dooly County mass shooting. All five received the meritorious service award. Hicks praised their response during the chaotic events after the tragedy.

Hicks gave an interview to the Cordele Dispatch after the Commission meeting, describing what the events were like the day of the mass shooting in Vienna. The call came in at 1:20 a.m. that victims were on the way to Crisp Regional Hospital. Officers rushed to the scene. “With...