Three heroes recognized by Shenandoah Police Department

SHENANDOAH, TX - On October 28, 2018 at 8:41 p.m., Shenandoah Police Department was dispatched to the Twin Peaks Shenandoah, in reference to a disturbance with weapons call. A male victim, Christopher Kiker, sustained a gunshot wound to his upper thorax as a result of an altercation with another man, Jason Goldsmith. Gavin Hoffmeyer, a Twin Peaks employee heard a woman yelling saying that someone had been shot and that she was calling the police. Hoffmeyer found the victim laying on the ground with an apparent gunshot wound and immediately began placing towels over the victim’s wound in an attempt to control the bleeding until officer’s arrival. Hoffmeyer was also able to obtain valuable information concerning the victim’s assailant and informed police officers of that information when they arrived.

Officers including SPD Officer Cedric McDuffie and Texas Department of Public Safety Trooper Brian Fratus arrived on scene and promptly took over from Hoffmeyer. Officer McDuffie and Trooper Fratus utilized their training to begin administering emergency care. McDuffie deployed advanced lifesaving equipment from his patrol unit while Trooper Fratus examined and moved the victim into a recovery position. Trooper Fratus was able to obtain valuable recorded evidentiary statements while ensuring the victim was able to continue breathing on his own. Officer McDuffie’s medical equipment, including a lifesaving chest seal and a hemostatic wound sealer, enabled the two law enforcement officers to deploy critical emergency care to the victim. This care most likely contributed to victim’s ability to stay alive long enough to be taken to a level 1 trauma care center where his life was saved.

At the March 27 City Council meeting, the three men were recognized by the Shenandoah Police Department for their heroic actions. Chief Raymond Shaw called the men 'heroes -- ordinary people doing extraordinary things.' In his comments, Shaw said McDuffie and Fratus distinguished themselves and provided an example of today’s modern and progressive training that law enforcement officers possess. Both officers were awarded with a Life Saving Medal.

In presenting a civilian service award to Hoffmeyer, an 18-year-old Lone Star College student, Shaw said the young man showed great bravery. 'Gavin Hoffmeyer acted beyond what is expected of civilians and could have placed his own life in danger at a horrific crime scene.' The fact that he immediately went outside without knowing whether the shooter was still on the scene and began to work to save the wounded man was a 'credit to the man and was greatly appreciated by the department.'

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