OFFICERS' LOVED ONES HEAR FIRSTHAND THE RISKS OF BEING A POLICE OFFICER

Only about two years on the job as a Chatham County police officer, Michael
E. Broome was willing to put his life at risk.

But he didn't expect it to happen at a high school football game.

In August at Memorial Stadium, off-duty Chatham County police officers
attempted to arrest a man for possession of marijuana during a football
game. In doing so, the getaway car crashed into them as well as more than a
dozen vehicles -- before landing in a ditch.

The officers were among about 40 people --civilians and police -- honored
Monday in front of family and officials at the annual Chatham County Police
Department Awards Ceremony. Also honored was the Multi-Jurisdictional Home
Invasion Task Force, a joint effort of Chatham County and Savannah police.

County Manager Russ Abolt called referred to the award recipients as
"common folk doing uncommon things."

"This gives the family of officers a chance to see the officer be honored,"
said Chatham County Police Chief Tom Sprague. And hear firsthand about
threats they endure -- even at places as unlikely as a football game.

Antonio Jamal Young, 23, of Savannah, had tried to escape officers by
flooring the gas pedal in his girlfriend's car. Trouble was, Sgt. R.T.
Nichols was leaning into the car at the time and was dragged along outside.

The fleeing car struck Cpl. A.L. Osteen. He was thrown to the ground.
Meanwhile, Capt. J.H. Hieronymous was trapped in the backseat. He had been
searching the car and had found the marijuana.

As the suspect tried to peel away on Skidaway Road, Broome pulled himself
into the car.

While being dragged alongside, he turned the steering wheel and forced the
car into the ditch. Young was arrested on five felony counts.

Nichols recalls lying on the ground. His injuries ended up keeping him off
work for three months before he returned to the job.

"The worst part was having to call my wife and tell her," Nichols said. "I
said "Meet me at the hospital" -- words loved ones of officers don't ever
want to hear.