Chattanooga Fire Department Captain Brad Petty is receiving a special recognition this week for his heroic actions on Interstate 24 earlier this month. He provided medical assistance to a motorist who had been severely injured during a roadway shooting incident.
The presentation will be Thursday at 2 p.m. at CFD Fire Station 9, 3250 8th Ave.
Gary Farley, assistant commissioner for the Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance, and the Tennessee State Fire Marshal's Office, will honor Captain Petty during the ceremony. TDCI Chief Operating Officer/Chief of Staff Jennifer Peck, Chattanooga Fire Chief Phil Hyman and Captain Petty will also make a few brief comments.
Captain Petty (Engine 9, Green Shift) on March 6 was off duty and traveling with his family on Interstate 24 following his son’s wrestling tournament when he rushed to render aid to a shooting victim in a terrifying incident in Rutherford County. The Petty family was headed home when they saw a car swerve off to the side of the interstate. As they got closer, a man jumped out of the car and was frantically waving for someone to stop and help. Captain Petty pulled over and found a young woman suffering from a gunshot wound to the head. Someone shot into their car and a bullet struck her in the back seat.
Captain Petty opened her airway and used a shirt to apply pressure to her wounds. As all of this was happening, his daughter, Hannah, relayed important information to dispatch and provided comfort to the other people in the vehicle. They stayed there until more help arrived. Kanan Petty captured video of Life Flight landing on the interstate to take the woman to the hospital.
The story made local, state and national news. The Petty family felt compelled to do what they could that day and they continue to pray for the wounded woman as she recovers.