Dickson Mayor Don L. Weiss Jr. and Dickson Police Department Chief Seth Lyles recognized School Resource Officer Tabitha Jennette for her quick actions to assist a student who was choking on her food.
At the May 6, 2024, Dickson City Council meeting, Mayor Weiss presented a proclamation and Chief Lyles presented a life-saving medallion and pin to Jennette in recognition of her actions and she received a standing ovation from the council, audience and several fellow police officers.
On Feb. 20, SRO Jennette observed a commotion in the cafeteria at Centennial Elementary School, where she is in her first year as a school resource officer with the Dickson Police Department. Upon investigation, Officer Jennette was informed by students Shaylin Orton, Camden Lewis and Chloe Smith that fellow fifth grader Emma Jeppsen was choking on her lunch. After having Jeppsen stand, Jennette performed the Heimlich Maneuver and successfully dislodged the food from Jeppsen’s throat and the student was able to resume breathing.
Jennette escorted Jeppsen to the school nurse’s office to have her checked out then returned to the cafeteria to reward the students who alerted her with ice cream.
After 10 years with the City of Dickson as a program coordinator and ranger with the Parks and Recreation Department, Jennette transferred last year to the police department where she was assigned as an SRO at Centennial.
“Through her actions, SRO Jennette was able to prevent Miss Jeppsen from suffering a life-threatening injury,” Mayor Weiss said in recognizing the officer with a proclamation.
Chief Lyles presented Jennette with a life-saving medallion and she will receive a pin to wear on her uniform in recognition of her actions.
The Dickson Police Department provides nine SROs for all six of the public schools located in the city, with one each at Centennial, Dickson and Oakmont elementary schools, The Discovery School and Dickson Middle School, two on the main campus of Dickson County High School, one at the DCHS 9th grade lower campus and a sergeant/investigator to supervise the program.
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