Deputy, CPD, And Fire & EMS Teamed Up To Save Mom’s Life On RiverWalk
Just like any other day, Sheriff’s Deputy Aliyah Miller went out on a walk during her lunch hour. However, she had no idea that her daily stroll would result in working hand-in-hand with both CPD and Columbus Fire & EMS to save the lives of a distraught mother and a newborn infant on the RiverWalk. Explore the full story for the heroic details of how our city’s public safety came together to save the day.
open_in_full
open_in_full
open_in_full
An artistic expression of Muscogee County Sheriff’s Deputy Aliyah Miller, superimposed on a colorized image of the city’s downtown riverwalk. Miller went above and beyond the call of duty to rescue a distraught mother and her newborn infant while on her lunch break, working alongside CPD & CFEMS.
Image Credit:
Muscogee Muckraker
By
Muscogee Muckraker
Published
August 17, 2023
Updated
January 8, 2024 2:54 PM
ET

Are we on the right path as a city? What are your thoughts as the reader? Be sure to follow Muscogee Muckraker on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to see our upcoming stories as they break throughout the coming week.

COLUMBUS, Ga. — A Muscogee County Sheriff’s Deputy out for her daily walk found herself working hand-in-hand with an officer of the Columbus Police Department and members of the city’s Fire & EMS to save the lives of a distraught mother and newborn infant on the RiverWalk.

Like she does every day, Deputy Aliyah Miller took a walk during her lunch break on Wednesday, August 16. 

For no particular reason, Miller chose to walk along the RiverWalk on that particular day — though her presence seemed to have been ordained.

As Miller began her stroll, she noticed an officer of the Columbus Police Department approaching her alongside a panicked mother with an infant in her arms.

The distraught mother, suffering from a horrific  episode of extreme distress, was threatening to jump into the river with her newborn.

With the situation teetering on the brink of disaster, Miller went into action. 

Through careful empathy, Miller was able to coax the mother into a bit of a more relaxed state — away from the river’s edge. 

Thankfully, Miller was then able to safely retrieve the child from the mother.

With Miller’s quick empathic thinking taking careful charge of the situation, the officer of the Columbus Police Department was then able to get the mother the help she needed.

Fountain City’s Bravest & Best appeared on the scene to help render the appropriate care, offering the air conditioning of their vehicles to all involved while the situation got sorted. With a heat index of over 110 degrees, the vehicles didn’t only serve to cordon off the scene, but also likely helped prevent heat stroke during the heightened incident.

We at the Muckraker believe we speak for most everyone in our city when we say that the actions of Deputy Miller, the Columbus Police Department, and Columbus Fire & EMS came together in a beautiful way that prevented a horrible tragedy and saved two lives. 

You guys really are superheroes. 

Muscogee County Sheriff Greg Countryman memorialized the heroic actions of Deputy Miller in a Letter of Commendation, thanking all first responders involved for their teamwork and going above and beyond the call of duty.

A Letter of Commendation presented to Muscogee County Sheriff’s Deputy Aliyah Miller on August 16, 2023. Miller went above and beyond the call of duty to rescue a distraught mother and her newborn infant while on her lunch break, working alongside CPD & CFEMS. Image source: Muscogee Muckraker via MCSO Facebook Page

The full text of Miller’s Letter of Commendation from Sheriff Countryman reads as follows:

“I would like to take this opportunity to commend the heroic actions of Deputy Aliyah Miller on August 16, 2023. On this date, law enforcement agencies received numerous calls about a woman on Facebook Live who was distraught on the Columbus River Walk and threatening to jump into the water with her approximately two-month-old infant. 

Deputy Miller goes on daily walks for her lunch break and today, she decided to walk by the Columbus River Walk. She observed the distraught woman and a Columbus Police Department Officer walking toward her. She realized the woman had a baby and was threatening to jump into the river with the infant. Deputy Miller was able to talk to the mother and get the baby from her to safety, while the Columbus Police Officer was able to get the mother the assistance she needed. Deputy Miller stayed with the infant until a family member arrived. Also, Columbus Fire and EMS allowed them to stay in the air conditioning of one of their vehicles, as the heat index is extremely high today.

I want to commend Deputy Miller, the Columbus Police Department, and Columbus Fire and EMS on a job well done! Thanks to your quick thinking and response time, they prevented a tragedy from occurring today. Your dedication to going above and beyond the call of duty is what we should all strive to achieve each and every day.

Working together, accomplishing great things.”

One year ago — almost to the day — most in Columbus would have never believed we’d see such camaraderie and teamwork between certain agencies in our region. Watching those agencies prove us wrong is pretty freakin’ sweet.

Job well done, all! Let’s keep that momentum up!

Facts are stubborn things — and we’ll keep publishing them, whether city officials like them or not.

-30-

© 2023 Muscogee Muckraker. All rights reserved.

Be sure to follow Muscogee Muckraker on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to see all the muck that’s fit to print as it breaks throughout the coming week.

‍

There has never been a better time to be a Columbus Police Officer! The Columbus Police Department is a state and nationally accredited law enforcement agency dedicated to protecting and serving the citizens of Columbus, Georgia. Become part of a highly trained law enforcement team focused on building and maintaining strong community partnerships that improve the safety and quality of life for every citizen. Join today and protect the promise of a better tomorrow. ProtectColumbus.ColumbusGa.gov

Got A Story?
We want to help you expose it.
GET IN TOUCH
You May Like...
LEAKED: Here’s The Term Sheet For CCG’s $50M Golden Park Deal
CCG intends to issue $50 million of taxpayer-backed bonds to renovate Golden Park for MiLB Minor League Baseball without any referendum. To top that off, the project’s laughable details have been kept hidden from the public in private meetings — so we’re leaking them for you. Explore the full story to see CCG’s term sheet for using $50 million of your dollars to subsidize Minor League Baseball without bothering to ask you first.
CCG intends to issue $50 million of taxpayer-backed bonds to renovate Golden Park for MiLB Minor League Baseball without any referendum. To top that off, the project’s laughable details have been kept hidden from the public in private meetings — so we’re leaking them for you. Explore the full story to see CCG’s term sheet for using $50 million of your dollars to subsidize Minor League Baseball without bothering to ask you first.
How One Man’s Integrity Unites Our City While Others Play The Race Card
The city council meeting held on Feb. 28 was filled with divisive falsehoods blaming ‘racism’ for police chief Freddie Blackmon’s leadership failures — though one man’s integrity and courage allowed him to speak up and tell the truth. Explore the full story to see how Mr. Byron Hickey’s 30 years of police experience just showed our city what real leadership looks like.
The city council meeting held on Feb. 28 was filled with divisive falsehoods blaming ‘racism’ for police chief Freddie Blackmon’s leadership failures — though one man’s integrity and courage allowed him to speak up and tell the truth. Explore the full story to see how Mr. Byron Hickey’s 30 years of police experience just showed our city what real leadership looks like.
How City Council Can Avoid A Repeat Of The ‘Blackmon Scenario’
Given the extreme fallout that has occurred in recent months, the initial appointment of police chief Freddie Blackmon was rather obviously quite flawed. When examined, a long pattern of behavior from our city’s elected officials reveals how that came to be. Explore the full story to see how the Columbus City Council can avoid a repeat ‘Blackmon Scenario.’
Given the extreme fallout that has occurred in recent months, the initial appointment of police chief Freddie Blackmon was rather obviously quite flawed. When examined, a long pattern of behavior from our city’s elected officials reveals how that came to be. Explore the full story to see how the Columbus City Council can avoid a repeat ‘Blackmon Scenario.’
Stoney Mathis Nominated For Permanent Police Chief; Council To Vote On Oct. 10
The Columbus Police Department has seen a monumental improvement under the brief yet highly-effective leadership of Interim Chief Stoney Mathis. Now, after months of consideration by an independent board, Mayor Henderson has nominated Mathis to fill the role permanently as CPD’s next Chief of Police, pending a vote by city council on October 10. Explore the full story for the details on what Henderson had to say about the procedure.
The Columbus Police Department has seen a monumental improvement under the brief yet highly-effective leadership of Interim Chief Stoney Mathis. Now, after months of consideration by an independent board, Mayor Henderson has nominated Mathis to fill the role permanently as CPD’s next Chief of Police, pending a vote by city council on October 10. Explore the full story for the details on what Henderson had to say about the procedure.
Local Media Still Silent As Explosion Leaves More Questions Than Answers
It has now been over a week since a massive explosion blew a fireball thousands of feet into the night sky above the Radius Recycling Plant in downtown Columbus, Georgia. However, there have still been a grand total of zero investigative reports into the origin of the blast from media outlets, zero follow-ups on the event whatsoever, and zero statements from local government. Explore the full story to see how loud that silence actually is.
It has now been over a week since a massive explosion blew a fireball thousands of feet into the night sky above the Radius Recycling Plant in downtown Columbus, Georgia. However, there have still been a grand total of zero investigative reports into the origin of the blast from media outlets, zero follow-ups on the event whatsoever, and zero statements from local government. Explore the full story to see how loud that silence actually is.
LEAKED: Hugley Emailed Local News Outlet To Silence Reporter Who Criticized Him
After City Manager Isaiah Hugley’s questionable actions regarding the city’s former police chief in April, a local news reporter did their job and contacted his office looking for answers. However, in response to that reporter asking questions and looking in places Hugley didn’t like, a leaked email shows Hugley contacted that reporter’s employer in an effort to silence the press. Explore the full story to see Hugley’s email in which he bad-mouthed a reporter and weaponized their employment in hopes of shutting them up.
After City Manager Isaiah Hugley’s questionable actions regarding the city’s former police chief in April, a local news reporter did their job and contacted his office looking for answers. However, in response to that reporter asking questions and looking in places Hugley didn’t like, a leaked email shows Hugley contacted that reporter’s employer in an effort to silence the press. Explore the full story to see Hugley’s email in which he bad-mouthed a reporter and weaponized their employment in hopes of shutting them up.
Become a Muckraker Supporter
You can help us expose corruption.
Become a supporter today.
The Latest
LEAKED: Here’s The Term Sheet For CCG’s $50M Golden Park Deal
CCG intends to issue $50 million of taxpayer-backed bonds to renovate Golden Park for MiLB Minor League Baseball without any referendum. To top that off, the project’s laughable details have been kept hidden from the public in private meetings — so we’re leaking them for you. Explore the full story to see CCG’s term sheet for using $50 million of your dollars to subsidize Minor League Baseball without bothering to ask you first.
CCG intends to issue $50 million of taxpayer-backed bonds to renovate Golden Park for MiLB Minor League Baseball without any referendum. To top that off, the project’s laughable details have been kept hidden from the public in private meetings — so we’re leaking them for you. Explore the full story to see CCG’s term sheet for using $50 million of your dollars to subsidize Minor League Baseball without bothering to ask you first.
How One Man’s Integrity Unites Our City While Others Play The Race Card
The city council meeting held on Feb. 28 was filled with divisive falsehoods blaming ‘racism’ for police chief Freddie Blackmon’s leadership failures — though one man’s integrity and courage allowed him to speak up and tell the truth. Explore the full story to see how Mr. Byron Hickey’s 30 years of police experience just showed our city what real leadership looks like.
The city council meeting held on Feb. 28 was filled with divisive falsehoods blaming ‘racism’ for police chief Freddie Blackmon’s leadership failures — though one man’s integrity and courage allowed him to speak up and tell the truth. Explore the full story to see how Mr. Byron Hickey’s 30 years of police experience just showed our city what real leadership looks like.
How City Council Can Avoid A Repeat Of The ‘Blackmon Scenario’
Given the extreme fallout that has occurred in recent months, the initial appointment of police chief Freddie Blackmon was rather obviously quite flawed. When examined, a long pattern of behavior from our city’s elected officials reveals how that came to be. Explore the full story to see how the Columbus City Council can avoid a repeat ‘Blackmon Scenario.’
Given the extreme fallout that has occurred in recent months, the initial appointment of police chief Freddie Blackmon was rather obviously quite flawed. When examined, a long pattern of behavior from our city’s elected officials reveals how that came to be. Explore the full story to see how the Columbus City Council can avoid a repeat ‘Blackmon Scenario.’
Stoney Mathis Nominated For Permanent Police Chief; Council To Vote On Oct. 10
The Columbus Police Department has seen a monumental improvement under the brief yet highly-effective leadership of Interim Chief Stoney Mathis. Now, after months of consideration by an independent board, Mayor Henderson has nominated Mathis to fill the role permanently as CPD’s next Chief of Police, pending a vote by city council on October 10. Explore the full story for the details on what Henderson had to say about the procedure.
The Columbus Police Department has seen a monumental improvement under the brief yet highly-effective leadership of Interim Chief Stoney Mathis. Now, after months of consideration by an independent board, Mayor Henderson has nominated Mathis to fill the role permanently as CPD’s next Chief of Police, pending a vote by city council on October 10. Explore the full story for the details on what Henderson had to say about the procedure.
Local Media Still Silent As Explosion Leaves More Questions Than Answers
It has now been over a week since a massive explosion blew a fireball thousands of feet into the night sky above the Radius Recycling Plant in downtown Columbus, Georgia. However, there have still been a grand total of zero investigative reports into the origin of the blast from media outlets, zero follow-ups on the event whatsoever, and zero statements from local government. Explore the full story to see how loud that silence actually is.
It has now been over a week since a massive explosion blew a fireball thousands of feet into the night sky above the Radius Recycling Plant in downtown Columbus, Georgia. However, there have still been a grand total of zero investigative reports into the origin of the blast from media outlets, zero follow-ups on the event whatsoever, and zero statements from local government. Explore the full story to see how loud that silence actually is.
LEAKED: Hugley Emailed Local News Outlet To Silence Reporter Who Criticized Him
After City Manager Isaiah Hugley’s questionable actions regarding the city’s former police chief in April, a local news reporter did their job and contacted his office looking for answers. However, in response to that reporter asking questions and looking in places Hugley didn’t like, a leaked email shows Hugley contacted that reporter’s employer in an effort to silence the press. Explore the full story to see Hugley’s email in which he bad-mouthed a reporter and weaponized their employment in hopes of shutting them up.
After City Manager Isaiah Hugley’s questionable actions regarding the city’s former police chief in April, a local news reporter did their job and contacted his office looking for answers. However, in response to that reporter asking questions and looking in places Hugley didn’t like, a leaked email shows Hugley contacted that reporter’s employer in an effort to silence the press. Explore the full story to see Hugley’s email in which he bad-mouthed a reporter and weaponized their employment in hopes of shutting them up.
The Weekend Muck: September 24, 2023
From an explosion at a downtown recycling center shooting a fireball thousands of feet into the air as it shook houses throughout the city, to media outlets providing zero follow-up on the blast, to another fire at a separate waste management plant revealing a much larger chain of suspicious and timely events, here’s all the muck that’s fit to print from the Columbus, Georgia area, along with a look at what to expect in the week ahead.
From an explosion at a downtown recycling center shooting a fireball thousands of feet into the air as it shook houses throughout the city, to media outlets providing zero follow-up on the blast, to another fire at a separate waste management plant revealing a much larger chain of suspicious and timely events, here’s all the muck that’s fit to print from the Columbus, Georgia area, along with a look at what to expect in the week ahead.
Recycling Plant Exploded Days After Separate Fire At Waste Management Building
On September 17, after a month of debate by officials over the city’s waste management programs, a massive explosion at the Radius Recycling Plant in Columbus, Georgia shot a fireball and mushroom cloud thousands of feet into the air. However, closer inspection reveals that a separate fire also happened at the Waste Management building on Veterans Pkwy just days prior on September 7. Explore the full story to see the questionable details as local media outlets and city officials continue to remain silent on the suspicious issue.
On September 17, after a month of debate by officials over the city’s waste management programs, a massive explosion at the Radius Recycling Plant in Columbus, Georgia shot a fireball and mushroom cloud thousands of feet into the air. However, closer inspection reveals that a separate fire also happened at the Waste Management building on Veterans Pkwy just days prior on September 7. Explore the full story to see the questionable details as local media outlets and city officials continue to remain silent on the suspicious issue.
Here’s How You Can Apply To Speak At A City Council Meeting
As our city remains at a critical political juncture that may well determine the future direction of Columbus, residents can sometimes forget how important it is to voice their concerns to their elected officials. However, the absence of your voice is often more detrimental than anything else. Explore the full story to see how easy it really is to voice your concerns during the public agenda of a city council meeting.
As our city remains at a critical political juncture that may well determine the future direction of Columbus, residents can sometimes forget how important it is to voice their concerns to their elected officials. However, the absence of your voice is often more detrimental than anything else. Explore the full story to see how easy it really is to voice your concerns during the public agenda of a city council meeting.
BUSTED: Columbus Gov’t Deleted Comments & Censored Unwanted Speech
This story from December 2022 is about to become very relevant again, as CCG clearly has not learned how to behave. Despite federal law prohibiting governments from curating speech online, the Columbus Government deleted our comments that challenged their narrative and then banned us from commenting in the future. Explore the full story to see how CCG already has a demonstrated track record of illegally censoring speech in violation of federal law, along with the photographic evidence they can’t avoid.
This story from December 2022 is about to become very relevant again, as CCG clearly has not learned how to behave. Despite federal law prohibiting governments from curating speech online, the Columbus Government deleted our comments that challenged their narrative and then banned us from commenting in the future. Explore the full story to see how CCG already has a demonstrated track record of illegally censoring speech in violation of federal law, along with the photographic evidence they can’t avoid.
Local Media & CCG Silent As Explosion Leaves More Questions Than Answers
It has now been several days since a massive explosion blew a fireball thousands of feet into the night sky above the Radius Recycling Plant in downtown Columbus, Georgia. However, there have been a grand total of zero investigative reports into the origin of the blast from local media outlets, zero follow-ups on the event whatsoever, and zero statements from local government. Explore the full story to see how loud that silence actually is.
It has now been several days since a massive explosion blew a fireball thousands of feet into the night sky above the Radius Recycling Plant in downtown Columbus, Georgia. However, there have been a grand total of zero investigative reports into the origin of the blast from local media outlets, zero follow-ups on the event whatsoever, and zero statements from local government. Explore the full story to see how loud that silence actually is.
CPD Invites Columbus To Annual ‘Faith & Blue Bike Ride’ On October 6
For its third consecutive year, the Columbus Police Department will lead National Faith & Blue Weekend to help build bridges with our community through local faith-based organizations. To kick off the weekend, CPD is inviting the public to a five-mile bike ride around the downtown area for fellowship and fun. Explore the full story for the details along with how your organization can get involved.
For its third consecutive year, the Columbus Police Department will lead National Faith & Blue Weekend to help build bridges with our community through local faith-based organizations. To kick off the weekend, CPD is inviting the public to a five-mile bike ride around the downtown area for fellowship and fun. Explore the full story for the details along with how your organization can get involved.
Get On The List
Not ready to subscribe?
We understand.
‍
Join our mailing list and get
FREE limited access to our top headlines anyway.
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.
Muscogee Muckraker
SECTIONS
Business
Politics
Arts
Opinion
Editor's Picks
The Weekend Muck
HELPFUL PAGES
Local Government Calendar
IG Feed
Contact
About Us
Policies
Search
© 2022-2024 Muscogee Muckraker. All Rights Reserved.