Fort Walton Beach Police Officer Morgan Stirling has been awarded the 2022 World Changer Award for her compassionate actions towards a young mother that helped her turn her life around.
Last October, Officer Stirling made a routine traffic stop on a vehicle with a paper license tag that appeared to be made from a coloring book, according to the FWBPD.
- The driver of the vehicle was facing multiple criminal charges, including failure to register a motor vehicle, driving with a suspended license, and having no insurance. Officer Stirling discovered that the driver’s 3-year-old daughter was not secured in a child car seat.
Despite the pending charges that could have resulted in a prison sentence for the driver, Officer Stirling decided to investigate further. She learned that the woman was a victim of domestic violence and was struggling with alcohol and narcotics abuse. The woman and her daughter were also living in the vehicle, according to the FWBPD.
Instead of immediately arresting the driver, Officer Stirling contacted Stephanie Wedel with Freedom Life Compass and Freedom House, a local organization that provides a faith-based recovery program for people struggling with drug and alcohol dependence.
- Ms. Wedel approved the woman for the program on the spot after meeting with Officer Stirling and the driver.
Officer Stirling allowed the woman to leave with Ms. Wedel to enter the recovery program immediately. Officer Stirling continued to follow the woman’s progress through the legal system and recovery program by talking with Ms. Wedel.
Ms. Wedel praised Officer Stirling’s compassionate approach and her dedication to finding a way to help the young mother while still holding her accountable for her violations.
- “You took a chance, and it is going to transform that family,” said Wedel. “She was looking at 15 years (in prison).”
According to Wedel, the woman was sentenced to Saving Grace Women’s Home and will have a few years of community control after.
2 Responses
She got into the career to make a difference, and what a difference she made! She not only changed the young lady’s life, but show the child while they kind person can do the change others lives. She very well represents Fort Walton Police Department and someone in her life that made a positive influence on her is probably why she’s so positive today and that will reflect back to the child and the mother. Proud to be a citizen of Fort Walton with Officers that represent our community in such a positive way.
Officer Sterling is the blueprint for how police officers and citizens should be. We should all be this compassionate about helping others. This is how you “Serve and Protect.”