Police officer, residents receive department’s highest honors

Quick thinking and selfless actions from local residents and one Weatherford Police Officer led to a special moment at Tuesday’s Weatherford City Council meeting. 

WPD Officer Cody Adkins received the WPD Chief’s Commendation and three residents — Andrew, Mallory, and Ayla Pritchett — were presented with the Citizenship Award for their “exceptional courage” that stemmed from a March 2 incident at Lake Weatherford. 

Weatherford Police Chief Jason Hayes explained that on that afternoon, three individuals were stranded approximately 300 yards from shore in an inflatable raft that was failing. 

“The victims had been in the water for nearly an hour and were exhausted and facing an increasingly dangerous situation,” he said. “None of them were wearing life jackets and with each passing minute, the risk of drowning continued to grow.”

As the Weatherford Police and Fire Departments were on their way, Hayes continued, Andrew and Mallory heard the cries for help and got into their personal kayaks and made their way to the victims in water temperatures that were below 60 degrees at the time. Together, they “worked tirelessly” to reach the victims, stabilize them and get them afloat as they awaited first responders. 

“At the same time, their daughter Ayla remained calm and focused throughout the emergency; she located life preservers, assisted where needed and directed responding emergency personnel to the appropriate shoreline access point,” Hayes said. “While her role looked different than those on the water, it was no less important to the successful outcome of this rescue.”

When Adkins arrived on scene, he immediately recognized the severity of the situation and the vulnerability of those in the water. 

“Without hesitation, [Adkins] removed his duty gear, entered the rescue effort and paddled more than 100 yards into the lake,” Hayes continued. “He helped Andrew bring all three victims safely back ashore.”

Because of the actions of these individuals, Hayes concluded, three people made it safely back to their families that day.

“Their willingness to act decisively, place themselves at personal risk and work together under extremely challenging circumstances exemplifies the values we strive to uphold in this community and within the Weatherford Police Department,” he said. “It is my distinct honor to recognize these extraordinary individuals and present them with these awards.”

The recipients, all in attendance, received a standing ovation from council members, with Mayor Paul Paschall commenting simply, “fantastic.”

Council then went on to approve a conditional use permit (CUP) for hotel/motel use at 117 College Avenue, for the Cotton Bratton Hotel. 

Scott McDonald, Director of Development Services, said a previous CUP had expired and that the updated proposal is for a 14-room boutique hotel constructed from shipping containers, two less rooms than was previously planned. McDonald then showed renderings and photos of the previous and current layout, along with a set of conditions that need to be met if approved by the council. 

The applicant, Matt Hughes, showed a brief video of what had already been completed and said that the overall scope of the project had doubled from what was originally intended. In response to a question from member Matt Ticzkus, Hughes said the aspect of a “shipping container hotel” was not lost on him. 

“We have another project in Graham, Texas, on the square – Hotel Middleton – so we’ve already executed that and it’s been really well received,” he said. “Many times, people go by that property and don’t even know that they’re made out of shipping containers or don’t notice it.”

Paschall and Ticzkus both praised the Middleton for the concept but member Rod White was hesitant about the container portion, asking if people would still know it was a container.

“You’re going to be able to tell it is a container,” Hughes admitted. “We do have extensive landscaping and different elements but we don’t want to put something on these to make a shipping container look like a farmhouse.”

Council passed the measure 3-1 with an additional condition for landscaping while the living wall is growing, with White being the dissenting vote.

After the meeting, White said his main issue was the container portion.

“I just am not sure about that part,” he said. “[The concept] is eclectic and I just don’t know if the square is ready for it.”