(Leitchfield, KY) – He’s carried a badge for the past six years and describes it as a “call” and an “honor” to serve the people of his home community, Leitchfield Police Officer Joe Overton says he wants help people. Going above and beyond is part of the call, according to Overton, who says he was privileged to be able to be a part of ensuring a young man’s burial was a hero’s burial.
Recently, Overton was awarded a commendation by the Leitchfield City Council for going above and beyond for a family who had lost their nine-year-old son to spina bifida. Overton was the responding officer the night Dakota Vincent passed away at Twin Lakes Regional Medical Center. Officer Overton says he was called by hospital staff to make a welfare check on Dakota’s father, Robert Vincent, who was alone after his son passed away. Officer Overton said Vincent was awaiting the arrival of family members, as he spent the first hour shadowing Vincent ensuring he was ok, he said after that he made contact with Vincent and spent the next hour talking with him about Dakota, as he waited for family to arrive to the hospital.
Over that hour of time, Officer Overton learned that Dakota had dreams of being a firefighter. The seed of giving Dakota a hero’s burial was planted, and Officer Overton called his friends at the Kyrock Fire Department, in Edmonson Co. where Dakota’s funeral was held, and they obliged to spend their day-off honoring this young man who had dreams of someday responding with them. Three engines and several firemen in dress uniform attended the service.
Officer Overton says it’s hard to police, especially in your hometown, and not have compassion for people, even for those they see repeatedly breaking the law. He said it’s more than policing, it’s mentoring, too. He said when they see the same people over and over again he says he is compelled to do more than just hold them accountable for their violation, but he encourages them to seek the help they need, and/or mentor them that there is a better path in life to take.
Overton has a younger brother, Deputy Kelsey Overton with the Grayson County Sheriff’s Dept., and says he and his brother work the same overnight shifts. He said he is proud of his younger brother, and at the same time it’s hard knowing the potential danger officers face is the danger his younger brother will face. He called it “an honor” to serve Grayson County along with his younger brother.
Congratulations to K105’s – Carter Harrell & Dale Woosley State Farm First Responder of the Week Joe Overton!
Misty Thomas, K105 Staff Writer
mthomas@k105.com
