D-F police sergeant honored for his valor during critical incident
DOVER-FOXCROFT — Dover-Foxcroft Police Sgt. Todd Lyford was honored by the town for his response during a fiery car crash in late July, during an Aug. 27 selectmen’s meeting. Sgt. Lyford was presented with a formal award for valor recognizing his actions in getting the car driver out of the vehicle, at great risk to himself.
“As some of you are aware, on July 30 Sgt. Lyford responded to a vehicle off the road with a lady trapped inside and the vehicle on fire,” Police Chief Ryan Reardon said. “Tonight we are here to address that and give him an award. That award is for valor. Valor when you look it up is defined as acting with great courage in the face of danger. I think his act exemplified that, it was on video even, I was there to witness it.”
Observer photo/Stuart Hedstrom
AWARD OF VALOR — Dover-Foxcroft Police Department Sgt. Todd Lyford, left, and Town Manager Jack Clukey listen as Police Chief Ryan Reardon reads the text of an award recognizing Lyford for his actions in pulling a woman from her car after the vehicle crashed and caught fire last month on the Greeleys Landing Road. Lyford was presented with the award for his valor during an Aug. 27 selectmen’s meeting at the Morton Avenue Municipal Building.
On July 30 a 65-year-old Dover-Foxcroft resident was driving on Greeleys Landing Road when she lost control of her car and traveled about 25 feet down the roadside embankment, striking a stand of trees. Police believe she experienced some kind of medical issue that caused her to leave the road.
Minutes before police arrived her car caught fire while lodged in the trees. Lyford pulled her from the flaming car, and she was transported to the hospital. She died after a 10-day hospitalization.
“There is no more appropriate award, I wish I could do more for him but let me read this from the town and the board of selectmen of the town of Dover-Foxcroft,” Reardon said. “‘Let it be known this award is presented to Sgt. Todd Lyford for his heroic and courageous act on July 30, 2018. Sgt. Lyford risked his life to save a citizen from death without thought of risk to himself. Sgt. Lyford acted with great courage in the face of danger and is the definition of valor. It is the pleasure of the town of Dover-Foxcroft, the Dover-Foxcroft Police Department and the board of selectmen to honor Sgt. Todd Lyford for his heroic and selfless actions on this date Aug. 27, 2018.”
Town Manager Jack Clukey then presented Lyford with a ribbon, saying “On behalf of the town of Dover-Foxcroft I am very pleased and honored to present you with this valor award.”
“With that we have this glass spire,” Reardon said. “It says ‘Presented to Sgt. Todd Lyford, award for meritorious service and outstanding valor during a critical incident Dover-Foxcroft, Maine July 30, 2018.”
After Lyford received a standing ovation from those present he said, “I appreciate the recognition and I am glad that I was able to provide that person with help at the time of need, so thank you very much.”
Observer photo/Stuart Hedstrom
ACTED WITH GREAT COURAGE IN THE FACE OF DANGER — Dover-Foxcroft Police Department Sgt. Todd Lyford, with Town Manager Jack Clukey in the background, was presented with an award on Aug. 27 for his valor when he pulled a woman from her car after the vehicle crashed and caught fire late last month on the Greeleys Landing Road.