On Sunday, September 6, 2020, at 10:54 am. the Palm Beach Gardens Police Department was notified of a two-vehicle traffic crash at the intersection of Military Trail and Hood Road. Callers described a severe crash where one of the drivers had a portion of their right arm amputated.
Officer David Joy quickly responded to the call and arrived at a very chaotic traffic crash scene. Officer Joy located the victim who was severely injured and was in dire need of immediate medical attention. Without hesitation, Officer Joy immediately applied a tourniquet on the victim’s arm and stopped the bleeding. Officer Joy remained with the victim and kept him calm until Palm Beach Gardens Fire Rescue arrived on the scene to render aid. The victim was transported to Saint Mary’s Hospital, where he is in critical but stable condition.
Officer Joy’s heroic actions saved a life. He was recognized by the Palm Beach Gardens City Council, Fire Department, and Police Chief Clinton Shannon on September 10, 2020. Officer Joy was awarded the Police Department’s Life Saving Award and the Fire Department’s Call of the Quarter Award.
All Palm Beach Gardens Police Officers receive annual training on how to stop bleeding through tourniquet applications. The tourniquets are provided as part of a grant from the Palm Beach Gardens Police & Fire Rescue Foundation, The Mirasol Foundation, and the Department’s annual budget.
