From Left to Right: Chief Willie Lovett, Capt. Philip Reilley, Officer Jason Pagliaro, Lt. Carey Hill and Sgt. William Woodward at T-shirt recognition (Source: SCMPD)
From Left to Right: Chief Willie Lovett, Capt. Philip Reilley presents t-shirt to Officer Jason Pagliaro (Source: SCMPD)SAVANNAH, GA (WTOC) -
A Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police Department officer was recognized by his supervisors for his humanitarian efforts while on the job.
West Chatham Precinct patrol officer Jason Pagliaro was recognized Wednesday at CompStat, a meeting held by Chief Willie Lovett, precinct commander Capt. Philip Reilley, shift commander Lt. Carey Hill and his sergeant William Woodward.
Pagliaro's trophy was a department t-shirt but the significance of the event was much greater.
On January 17 around 9:30 p.m., Pagliaro was on patrol when he encountered a woman who had locked herself out of the home she was house-sitting in. The woman was standing outside in the cold with sweat pants and a t-shirt and had no way to get back in the house. Pagliaro retrieved his jacket from his squad car and searched for a way in.
After contacting the homeowners and confirming the woman indeed was legally residing in the house and caring for pets while they were out of town, Pagliaro summoned a locksmith who cautioned that he must be paid before unlocking the house. Pagliaro paid the locksmith $57 from his pocket, assured the woman was safely in the house and left paperwork for the homeowner if there were any concerns.
Officer Pagliaro later received a letter from the woman advising him that she had been staying at the house to escape a domestic situation.
On January 18, 2011, Pagliaro attempted to stop a stolen car, unaware that the driver had an accomplice in a second car until multiple gunshots shattered the back windshield of his patrol car, lodging in the Plexiglas shield behind his head. Pagliaro evaded the gunman and pursued the second car through several precincts before reinforcements helped stop the suspect in the Central Precinct.
In a release Chief Lovett says, "Actions such as this performed by officers are not rare, but they unfortunately are rarely recognized. A T-shirt is a small gesture of thanks but the appreciation that goes with it is heart-felt."
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