Choctaw Nation
Kelsey Brown
DURANT – What started out as any other hot summer day recently in Bryan County, proved anything but routine for Matt Barreras, a member of the Choctaw Nation Tribal Police. Patrolman Barreras saved the life of a heat stroke victim.
Durant’s KLBC 106.3 radio station recognized Patrolman Barreras for his quick-thinking rescue as one of its First Responders of the Week during the month of July.
A member of the Choctaw Nation Public Safety dispatch team wrote and submitted a nomination to the radio station stating:
“Matt never brags about the small things he does that are lifesaving. He is always on the ball when it comes to lending a hand to other agencies in need. He was recently out on patrol and radioed that he came across a man lying in the ditch exhausted from the heat… he called for medical assistance and provided the man with water and helped cool him down until EMS was able to arrive.”
In addition to the on-air recognition, Chris Witherspoon with KLBC, came to the Choctaw Nation Department of Public Safety in Durant to present Barreras with a certificate.
“I love my job and look forward to coming to work every day,” Barreras said. “I consider it a blessing to be able to provide law enforcement services to the people and communities throughout the Choctaw Nation.”
In August, Barreras will mark 11 years with the Choctaw Nation and 10 years with the Choctaw Public Safety Department. He started in law enforcement in 2007 with the Durant Police Department Reserve Program.