Marc Fridley

Officer Marc Fridley began his employment with the Pelham Police Department in January 2004, having worked for other State agencies since 2000.  Officer Fridley is assigned to the Patrol division and is an intergral member of the department's Tactical Operations Unit and instructor cadre.  Officer Fridley is also a member of the Army National Guard and has recently returned from a deployment in Iraq.  During his deployment as a U.S. Army combat medic Marc was able to bring back training and experience that would lead to him saving the life of an individual in Pelham. 

On December 12, 2011 a man participating in the Oak Mountain State Park controlled deer hunt fell from a tree stand and accidentally shot himself in the chest with a handgun.  Officer Fridley was the first officer on the scene and was able to determine the victim was suffering from a serious gunshot wound and was rapidly losing blood.  Officer Fridley was able to take immediate action to assess the victim's vital signs, apply appropriate pressure to the wound and take other steps to keep the victim from going into shock.  Officer Fridley treated the victim until medical crews arrived on the scene and airlifted the victim to UAB Hospital. 

Captain Larry Palmer was interviewed by the Shelby County Reporter and was quoted saying "Officers are only allowed to give limited medical treatment to victims before trained medical crews arrive on the scene, but Fridley's action could have meant the diference between life and death in the hunting accident.  He is a very capable officer and he pretty much had the guy assessed by the time the medics got there, which allowed them to get the victim airlifted to the hospital quicker.  We are proud to have him home from Iraq with us again, he is a great officer."