NASHVILLE --- A Tennessee State Trooper has been named the International Association of Chiefs of Police/Motorola Trooper of the Year for the Southern Region and is now a finalist for the national award. Trooper Charles “Andy” Forsythe was nominated for the honor because of his heroic acts after a fiery traffic crash last spring.
On May 23, 2008, Trooper Forsythe was on routine patrol in Weakley County and came upon a two-vehicle crash. People were trapped in a van that was involved in the crash, and a fire had ignited underneath the vehicle. Trooper Forsythe called for assistance and then attempted to rescue the victims. He used his baton to break out the vehicle’s window and windshield, and with the help of some bystanders, freed several of the victims.
The driver was still pinned in the van, and the fire was spreading, with flames coming through the floor board. With the help of another officer on the scene, Trooper Forsythe pulled back the driver side door and tried to free the driver. When that was unsuccessful, Trooper Forsythe climbed into the van, even though it was nearly engulfed in flames, and freed the driver. After moving those victims to safety, Trooper Forsythe began to try to free the victims trapped in the other vehicle. First responders from Weakley County arrived on the scene and had to cut the driver from his car. All of the victims in the crash survived.
Trooper Forsythe joined the Tennessee Highway Patrol in March 1998 and has been assigned to Weakley County during that entire time.
Tennessee is a member of the IACP’s Southern Region. Trooper Forsythe was named Trooper of the Year for this region and competed with nominees from the other 11 states in the region. There are four IACP regions. The winners of Trooper of the Year for these regions are all finalists for the national award. Trooper Forsythe and his family will attend an awards ceremony on Friday, March 13, 2009, in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia, where he will be honored and learn if he is the National Trooper of the Year.
The Tennessee Department of Safety’s mission is (www.tennessee.gov/safety) to ensure the safety and general welfare of the public. The department encompasses the Tennessee Highway Patrol, Office of Homeland Security and Driver License Services. General areas of responsibility include law enforcement, safety education, motorist services and terrorism prevention.