GLOCESTER – On Monday, August 12, Glocester police officers responded to calls regarding a disturbance at Glocester Motor Inn around 11:45 p.m. and found a woman in one of the rooms bleeding profusely.
“There was blood pooling on the bathroom floor and deep lacerations in her arm,” explained Glocester Police Chief Joseph DelPrete. “The victim was losing consciousness while officers were trying to speak to her.”
Fortunately, after years of life-saving training that included how to apply a tourniquet, Officer Patrick Creamer knew exactly what to do.
Creamer, quickly and calmly, stopped the victim’s bleeding, keeping her stable until paramedics arrived, ultimately saving the woman’s life.
His fellow officers, family, friends and members of the Glocester Town Council acknowledged the officer’s heroism during a ceremony at the board’s meeting on Thursday, Sept. 5, presenting Creamer with an award and citation.
“This one was kind of above and beyond in a difficult situation,” said DelPrete. It did involve saving a woman’s life.”
“This is probably the best part of the job, when you get see the good work that’s done every day by Glocester police and you get to recognize this,” the chief said. “The second best part of the job is: the guy who’s going to receive the award probably doesn’t want to be here and recognized. He’s a humble guy. He’s all business and he works hard at everything he does. He does a great job.”
Creamer, who joined the department in 2021 after graduation from the Rhode Island Municipal Police Academy, currently works second and third shifts, DelPrete said.
“He keeps the roads safe and our residents safe,” said DelPrete. “I sleep better at night with this guy working.”
DelPrete noted that the department does roughly 40-50 hours of training each year and in recent years, has focused on a program called Stop the Bleed.
“In my day, we never did that,” he said.
DelPrete noted that the training kicked in during a critical emergency where every second counted.
“Thanks to his swift and decisive action, a life was saved,” he later said. “His quick thinking and calm demeanor in a moment of crisis are a testament to the exceptional training and dedication he brings to his role every day.
A citation from the council was also read by President William Worthy.
“Your bravery and heroism saved a life,” read Worthy. “We are proud to call you one of Glocester’s finest.”
“We are proud to have Officer Creamer as part of our town’s police department and grateful for the positive impact he continues to make in our community,” noted DelPrete in a social media post after the ceremony. “His actions serve as a powerful reminder of the selflessness and courage displayed by our first responders.”
