Two SPD officers honored at City Council

Nov. 15—Two Somerset Police officers received special recognition — and a standing ovation from the crowd — at Monday's Somerset City Council meeting.

Officer Caleb Haynes was awarded the department's Lifesaving Medal, and Officer Danielle Strickland was recognized for having been named the 2023 Kentucky Women's Law Enforcement Network Police Officer of the Year.

"When we have employees that deserve to be recognized, I think that it's important that we do so," Somerset Police Chief William Hunt told the council before bringing both to the front of the room to be recognized.

In Haynes' case, Hunt said he was being award the Lifesaving Medal for his actions on January 6 of this year, concerning a fatal wreck that took place on the Martin Luther King, Jr. Bridge.

The wreck involved a head-on collision between a van carrying six people and a pickup truck driven by Eric R. Humphrey.

Two people were killed in the wreck, 38-year-old Tianwen Guo and 45-year-old Jose Amaya. Four other passengers in the van were injured.

Humphrey has since been charged with two counts of Murder, four counts of first-degree Assault and one count of Operating a Motor Vehicle Under the Influence of Alcohol. He has pleaded not guilty to those charges, and his case is pending.

Hunt explained that on the night of the wreck, Haynes was off-duty and happened to be in the area.

"[Haynes] began rendering life-saving aid by performing CPR to one of the occupants involved in an accident that did not have a pulse or heartbeat," Hunt told the council. "While performing CPR, the occupant started showing signs of life again and was immediately transported to the U.K. hospital for advanced care."

Hunt said that giving the Lifesaving award is not a simple matter. A board of people, including SPD department members, councilors and City Attorney John Adams, must review the information before deciding to present the award.

"With his actions, he prolonged and ultimately saved the life of an occupant while providing CPR that night," Hunt said.

Somerset Mayor Alan Keck thanked Haynes for his actions, adding that he wasn't aware that Haynes had been off duty at the time.

"That makes it extra special," Keck said.

Keck also thanked the paramedics and firefighters who assisted with the wreck on that night as well.

Officer Strickland was honored for her role in tracking down a con artist know in several states as the "Tik Tok Trickster."

Brenton Fillers was wanted in several states, including Alabama and Texas, for meeting women through the social media site Tik Tok, befriending them and then stealing money from them.

One of Fillers' victims was from Pulaski County, and after he had stolen from her, she went to the Somerset Police Department for assistance.

Strickland spoke to the victim, where she learned that Fillers had met the victim through Tik Tok, like many of his other victims.

Fillers and the victim began a relationship, and they had traveled up to Lexington to the Bluegrass Regional Airport where they were supposed to go on vacation together.

When the victim gave Fillers money for valet parking, Fillers never returned.

Days later, one of the victim's friends found social media posts warning about Fillers and his reported scams. He was also wanted on several warrants from different states, including one from Texas involving the sexual assault of a juvenile.

Hunt noted that no crime had actually occurred within the SPD's jurisdiction. However, Officer Strickland talked with the victim and listened to her story.

Strickland was able to have the victim contact Fillers and ask about his medical history and where he was being treated at that time. They learned he was as the U.K. Medical Center in Lexington.

Strickland then contacted the University of Kentucky Police Department and worked with them to help them arrest Fillers.

"He was taken into custody after several years of victimizing women and eluding law enforcement across the U.S.," Hunt stated.

"Officer Strickland was on light duty at the time and assigned to administrative duties after being injured in a foot pursuit, when she was able to identify and locate a dangerous criminal," Hunt said. "Even though Fillers had not committed a crime in her jurisdiction... she took the time to listen to the victim and pursue identifying the suspect. Because of her persistent efforts, she was able to assist other law enforcement agencies and prevent Fillers from continuing to victimize women."

Hunt then added as an example of her work ethic that she had once assisted with the family of a woman who had suffered a stroke while at the SomerSplash Water Park. The woman was from Washington state, and had two young children with her, ages 5 and 9.

Strickland continued to watch and entertain those children until an Atlanta-area family member could arrive and take custody of them, Hunt said.

"Officer Strickland is as gritty and determined as she is compassionate to this community," Hunt said. "...Her work and selflessness for this community won her this award, and I couldn't be more proud of her."

In congratulating Strickland, Keck said, "Thank you for going far and above." Then, in addressing Strickland's children who were in attendance at the meeting, Keck said. "Kiddos, you've got a mom to be real proud of."

Carla Slavey can be reached at cslavey@somerset-kentucky.com