Local

Gwinnett County honors school officer who saved baby on first week of job, fallen K9

GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — Gwinnett County honored the bravest of its brave Wednesday with the county’s annual Valor Awards.

This year’s honorees included a school resource officer who made a daring rescue during her first week on the job and a K9 who died in the line of duty.

K9 Blue was shot and killed by a suspect who Gwinnett police and the SWAT team were searching for back in September. The team shot the suspect, then rushed to try and save the man and dog.

“Everyday you drive around with an empty kennel you think about the dog,” Gwinnett Cpl. William Webb said.

Blue and the entire team were awarded the county’s highest honor, the Gold Medal of Valor.

“It’s a hard sacrifice but when my fellow swat operators are OK, then it makes sense,” Webb said.

TRENDING STORIES:

Ten more awards were given as well, including to school resource officer Zakia Williams, who was awarded the annual lifesaving award.

On just her eighth day on the job, Williams was on her way home when she was flagged down by a family.

Their one-week-old baby wasn’t breathing. Williams helped save the baby.

“Still looking back on it, I get chills,” Williams said. “I just thank god for having the ability for knowing what to do in that moment.”

As for Webb, he’s anxious to train a new partner.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]