A Union City

police officer's humanitarian act did not go unnoticed by the city's governing

body.

Officer Torino

Hawkins, a shift supervisor for the South Fulton Municipal Regional Jail,

attended the City Council meeting Tuesday intending to simply take the

oath to become a public safety officer. He recently graduated from the

Police Academy, an accomplishment deserving in itself of recognition.

But hawkins

was pleasantly surprised when he was recognized for helping an elderly

couple during an accident. The Union City Department of Public Safety,

the City Council and attendees honored Hawkins after he took the oath.

In December

2001, while on his way to work, Hawkins witnessed an accident on I-285

in DeKalb County. A flatbed truck cut in front of an 18-wheel truck causing

the truck to jackknife. The corner of the truck hit an elderly couple's

car, forcing them off the road and shattering their rear window.

Despite the

cold and the pouring rain, Hawkins immediately stopped and ran to the

car to ensure the pair were unhurt. He contacted the Dekalb Police Department

and calmed the couple who were, in their words, "scared half to death."

The Fayette

County couple wrote a two-page letter to the Mayor Ralph Moore, the City

Council and to the Bobby Fronebarger, director of the Public Safety Department,

expressing their appreciation for Hawkins' assistance.

According to

the letter, "... [the] deed Officer Hawkins did for us was beyond

the call of duty. We really appreciated it."

Hawkins will

continue to work as shift supervisor at the jail. Additionally, as a Police

Academy graduate, he will work as a patrol officer and will assist in

prisoner transport as needed. Hawkins has been with the South Fulton Police

Department for nine months. Fellow officer Leon Gates also recently graduated

from the Police Academy and will be adding patrol officer to his list

of duties.