MPD Officer Awarded for Heroism

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – A Macon police officer was recently honored for his heroic efforts to save lives. Christopher Burtrum was awarded for working to revive a man who crashed his motorcycle into a pick-up truck. Burtrum was also acknowledged for successfully resuscitating a woman found unconscious in the street.

The unidentified woman is recuperating in a Macon Hospital after Burtrum performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on her saving her life. He said there was a small crowd gathered around the woman, who was lying face down on Robinson Road. Burtrum explained, when turned her over he could see blood running out of her nose.

“I was always taught if you can see blood, that means they are still alive, even though I could barely feel her pulse,” he added. “I believe she had a heart attack.”

The officer said he works with Heroes everyday at precinct three of the police department.

Days earlier while off duty he tried to save a man’s life after the motorcyclist collided with a pick-up truck on Columbus Road. Anthony Baldwin, 48, died as a result of his injuries.

“I wasn’t doing it thinking about I’m going to get recognized for this or anything like that,” said Burtrum. “I just wanted to help the guy in the original motorcycle accident, try and see if I could save him, or if he could live because he T-boned that truck really hard.”

The Macon Police Command staff surprised the officer with a Hero Award. He was told to take boxes to police headquarters. Once he went inside he saw the command staff, who greeted him with smiles.

Burtrum has been with the agency for more than a year. He believes his family values and police training led to the recognition.

“I grew up in a household where there was always a kind of military vibe,” he said. “I learned a lot from my Dad and especially from my grandpa as well. [They taught me] that if you, are going to do anything in life always try to do what’s right or don’t do anything at all.”

The man at the helm of the police department was among those honoring the heroic officer. Macon Police Chief Henderson Carswell says he is proud of all of his officers. The police chief added Burtrum’s heroic efforts is proof that his department cares about the community.

“Even though he was off duty he stopped and did everything he could to try and save that persons life,” said Carswell.

The police chief added, people rarely see the positive side of law enforcement. According to Carswell, Burtrum is only an example of the heart of the Macon Police Force.

“One of our main responsibilities is to preserve and save lives and it’s certainly gratifying and well pleasing to me to hear one of our officers stopping not one time but two times, to go above and beyond the call of duty,” said Chief Carswell.

Burtrum said he loves being an officer and he could not imagine working a regular nine to five desk job.

“I use to weigh 355 pounds I actually lost 155 pounds over the years and I want to stay out here and be active and help people as much as I can,” said Burtrum. “It’s not about money. It never has been about money. I’m happy with what I do and I don’t think, I’ll ever do anything else.”