News & Views FROM THE MAYOR dear husband of 58 years. Thank you, Mrs. Betty Mills of Douglasville, GA Mayor Rochelle Robinson As mayor, I enjoy showcasing what the City of Douglasville and its employees are doing. Since this is Thanksgiving month, I want to do some- thing special and present a letter from a citizen who is grateful for the actions of one of our offi- cers. Like her, I am thankful for people who go be- yond the call of duty to help others. She has given us permission to print the beautifully handwrit- ten letter, which I have typed so that it will fit into the margins of this column. No changes were made to the wording in the original, except to re- move the writer’s address and telephone number for her privacy. After reading this, I hope you will be as proud of the subject of this letter as we are. WHO WORKS FOR THE CITY? It is my honor to introduce you to Billy Wallace, the gentleman referenced in the above letter. This is how he re- membered that day. Wallace, a detective with the Douglasville Po- lice Department for 16 years, was having lunch with several other members after the morning revival service at New Genesis Baptist Church. He has been a member there for five years and the youth pastor for about three years, he said. He had just finished eating and was “actually heading to work” when he heard the commotion. 9-26-2016 Chief Gary Sparks Det. Billy Wallace “I don’t look at it as being a hero,” Wallace said. “There was nothing to it. I just did what anybody else would do.” Chief Sparks had the following to say about Detective Wallace: “He is a servant who enjoys and lives for help- ing mankind. He has always been a team player, not a big “I.” He is an ultimate professional law enforcement officer who displays his character Douglasville, GA “We were just eating and one of the ladies said (Mills) was choking,” Wallace recalled. through his work and commitment to serving the Chief Sparks, He saw others attending to Mr. Mills, but the gentleman was still choking. Wallace hurried over and found that Mr. Mills was not breathing, so he got behind him and performed the Heimlich maneuver. After three or four quick, upper ab- dominal thrusts, the food was dislodged, Wallace said. He then called for paramedics This act on his part is what all of our officers On August 24, 2016, my husband, Herman Mills, attended morning revival services at New Genesis Baptist Church. Lunch was served after the worship service, and while eating, my husband got choked. He was helplessly getting worse. Several people tried to help him, but their efforts failed. I will forever be grateful to Billy Wallace, who performed the Heimlich maneuver and honestly saved my husband’s life. My son brought my hus- band home, and I left work at Lowe’s to go home to see about him. When I reached my home, Billy Wallace had dropped by to check on my husband to be sure he was doing O.K. Our world is a better place because of people like Billy Wallace. He is truly a dedicated public servant. We need more people like him!!! If there is any way that Billy can be honored or commended, please see that it takes place. Be- cause of his concern, I am still blessed to have my 46 The letter was signed on September 26, 2016, by Rev. Lloyd Lathem, pastor of New Genesis Baptist Church, 6986 Hiram Douglasville High- way, Douglasville, and notarized that same day by Stephanie Singley, a Paulding County notary public. Pastor Lathem’s note said he was a witness on August 24, 2016, that Billy Wallace performed the Heimlich maneuver on Herman Mills and saved his life. Chapel Hill News & Views Community “That was about it,” Wallace said, downplaying his heroic action, concerned that he had hurt the elderly man while in the process of trying to help him. “I came over and visited him after he got home,” Wallace continued. “He said he was tough and that his ribs were not hurting.” Wallace was surprised that anyone other than those present that day knew about what had hap- pened. “How did you find out about it?” he asked, clue- less that Mrs. Mills had written a letter to Chief Sparks. inner spirit of mankind. here at the Douglasville Police Department are trained and expected to do because we are all ser- vants of mankind.”