TEXARKANA, Texas — A local police officer has been honored by Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas for helping a fellow officer during a dog attack.
Matthew Lindsey, of Texarkana Texas Police Department, received the Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas’ Officer of the Year Award during a recent ceremony. CLEAT Region 9 Director Billy McAnally, of TTPD, made the presentation.
TTPD officer Christopher Flores was attacked by two pitbulls while responding to a call.
“His quick actions that day are credited with keeping a horrible situation from turning into a catastrophic one,” Public Information Officer Shawn Vaughn said of Lindsey.
Police were called to the 700 block of Wilson Street in March after a woman was attacked by the dogs, according to police. She was also treated at a local hospital.
When Flores got out of his car and started walking toward the house, two large pitbull-mix dogs charged him, according to TTPD.
Flores was able to hit one with his flashlight, but the dogs knocked him to the ground and mauled him. Lindsey arrived shorty afterward and sprayed the dogs with his fire extinguisher.
Officers later shot one of the dogs when it charged an animal control officer who came to catch the animals. The shot did not kill the dog but disabled it enough that officers were able catch it.
Flores underwent surgery after suffering serious injuries to both arms. The dog bites resulted in muscle damage on one arm and 23 lacerations on the other.
CLEAT is the largest police labor organization in the state, according to its website. McAnnally
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