DPS ANNOUNCES WINNER OF ‘EVERYDAY HERO AWARD’
ARDMORE, OK – Department of Public Safety officials are pleased to
announce and congratulate Oklahoma Highway Patrol Communications Officer
Renee Lovett, the winner of the “Everyday Hero Award” from the Oklahoma
Public Safety Conference sponsored by the Oklahoma Association of Public
Safety Communications Officials (APCO) Chapter and the Oklahoma National
Emergency Number Association (NENA). CO Lovett is currently assigned to
the OHP Oklahoma City Communications Center, but at the time was assigned
to the Troop F Communications Center in Ardmore, Oklahoma.
On January 16, 2014, After two Federal ATF Task Force Agents were shot in
the city limits of Ardmore by a suspect wanted for several murders in south
central Oklahoma, Troop F Communications Officer (CO), Renee Lovett was
instructed by the Troop F Troop Commander to activated the Signal One plan
(A plan the OHP uses to suspend normal patrol operations and redirects
assets to focus on locating a suspect(s) considered wanted for
questioning.)
CO Lovett activated the Signal One plan then took it upon herself to move
troopers into strategic observation locations throughout the southern
Oklahoma area. OHP units responding were from the following Troops
throughout the State: Troop A – Oklahoma City, Troop D – McAlester, Troop E
– Durant, Troop F – Ardmore, and Troop G – Lawton.
In addition, CO Lovett contacted the Sheriff’s Offices in: Johnston,
Marshall, Pontotoc, Murray, Love, and Garvin Counties and requested
dispatchers, in those locations, to move personnel to primary and secondary
checkpoints that were plotted on a large map at troop headquarters that CO
Lovett maintained and updated.
“Her [CO Lovett’s] actions on that date, allowed me to focus on managing
the evolving incident,” said Captian Ronnie Hampton, Troop F Troop
Commander. “As part of the Oklahoma Incident Management Team, Lovett used
her training and skills to assist command staff in planning operations, and
facilitated cross communications between numerous agencies, while
maintaining a calm reassuring voice on the radio during a manhunt, pursuit,
and shots fired radio traffic,” Hampton added.
CO Lovett was largely instrumental in containing a deadly, evolving
situation which brought about a positive resolution. Her actions reflect
great credit upon herself, Troop F, the Oklahoma Department of Public
Safety, and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.
