 |
| Sgt. Brian Eason and Officer Cassie Fueston |
The American Correctional Officers Association presented a Gold Medal of Honor to Correctional Officer Cassie Fueston and Sgt. Brian Eason on Oct. 14 during the group’s annual meeting in New Orleans.
Officer Fueston’s award was presented “for her bravery and persistence” when she was ambushed by an inmate armed with two handmade weapons.
The inmate stabbed Officer Fueston multiple times in the stomach and back and punched her in the face. Officer Fueston was able to deter the attack just long enough to exit the dorm. At that time, Sgt. Brian Eason entered the dorm to subdue the inmate.
Without pause or regard for her lacerations, puncture wounds, and painful swelling, Officer Fueston re-entered the dorm to assist Sgt. Eason.
“We recognize Officer Fueston ... for her active and unrelenting service during a safety-compromising situation on the job,” the officers association stated.
Sgt. Eason's Gold Medal of Honor was for “his selfless assistance” to Officer Fueston. He responded when he heard Officer Fueston screaming while she was being violently assaulted.
While Officer Fueston was breaking away from the inmate and his assault, Sgt. Eason advanced toward the inmate and quickly neutralized the threat. Sgt. Eason used a take-down maneuver to subdue the inmate on the floor.
The officers association stated, “For his bravery and instinctual assistance to a colleague in need, Sergeant Eason well deserves the honor bestowed on him.”
Both Officer Fueston and Sgt. Eason were injured and received outpatient treatment at a local hospital.
