Local Cop Receives National Recognition

Boy Mother Small-town police officer honored locally for saving two-year old's life nominated for national award on popular television show

by Pat Peterson

Published: Tue, March 11, 2008 - 4:24 pm CST

Thanks to Officer Calvin Coggins, two-year old Kadyn Stevens has a new lease on life. Coggins, who works as a patrolman in Elberta, performed C.P.R. on the toddler three months ago, when Kadyn has a seizure. Paramedics say Coggins saved the boy's life. Because of his heroic efforts, the veteran cop was given the "Life Saving Medal."

Now, Kadyn is fighting another medical problem and Officer Coggins is leading the way to help save the boy's life. Doctors discovered a tumor on Kadyn's brain and he now needs life-saving surgery.

"I'm doing what I can to help the little boy," says Coggins. "I've started a bank account in his name and I'm sponsoring a boot drive here in downtown Elberta. Kadyn's mother can't work because she has to take care of her sick boy and she's lost her home. Anything at this point will help."

"Officer Coggins goes above and beyond the call of duty," says Denise Stevens, Kadyn's mother. "We need more cops like him."

While Coggins is working hard to help Denise and Kadyn, national media outlets are seeking him out. "America's Most Wanted" host John Walsh contacted Coggins last week and nominated him for an "All-Star Police Officer" award.

"I'm not a hero," says Coggins. "I'm just doing what I think's right."

Coggins has opened an account under Kadyn Stevens' name at the Vision Bank in Elberta. The veteran law-enforcement officer is also sponoring a "boot drive" in downtown Elberta on March 22nd.

America's Most Wanted All-Star
Coggins is one of three officers from the Gulf coast who are among the 71 first responders nominated so far. The other two are Capt. Paul Stewart, head of the Mobile County Sheriff's Flotilla, and Lt. Larry Bryant with the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office.
You can submit nominations through April 1st. The field will be narrowed down to 8 Finalists. One is selected each week. Three have already been chosen.
The winner gets $10,000 and an All-Star weekend at the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series All-Star Race (May 17th at Lowes Motor Speedway in Charlotte)

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