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Regular Session, 2011
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 21
BY SENATOR DONAHUE
COMMENDATIONS. Commending the heroic sacrifice of Lieutenant Douglas "Wade"
Sharp for giving his own life to save the life of his daughter.
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON1
To commend Covington Police Lieutenant Douglas "Wade" Sharp for extraordinary heroism2
in sacrificing his own life to save the life of his daughter.3
WHEREAS, Lt. Sharp was a nineteen-year veteran of police work and decorated for4
his many acts of bravery and valor in the line of duty, including two awards of the Covington5
Police Department's Medal of Valor for his successful efforts to rescue citizens trapped in6
burning buildings; and7
WHEREAS, he received the department's highest award for his bravery in 1997 by8
rushing into a burning apartment and saving a man and his dog in the intense heat and9
choking black smoke of fire; and10
WHEREAS, Lt. Sharp, ten years later, would receive another award of the highest11
honor when he broke through a window in a blazing home, and then searched, found and12
carried to safety the resident who had lost consciousness and already suffered serious burns13
to more than thirty percent of his body; and14
WHEREAS, on Wednesday, April 27, 2011, Lt. Sharp and his young daughter were15
camping in Mississippi and sought shelter in their camping tent as they were engulfed by a16
violent, howling storm sweeping across Mississippi that spawned numerous tornados; and17
WHEREAS, Lt. Sharp, from his experience, realized that the storm that was18 SCR NO. 21
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pounding him was no ordinary thunderstorm and his awareness of their dangerous situation1
caused him to react in a split second when he heard the crack of a giant tree snapping,2
breaking and falling on top of the tent they were in; and3
WHEREAS, his quick response and instantaneous action allowed him to push his4
terrified daughter out of harm's way and out of the path of the massive tree saving her life5
and leaving her without injury; and6
WHEREAS, while Lt. Sharp saved his daughter, with no thought for his own safety,7
and was tragically struck and killed by the tree that would have otherwise harmed her; and8
WHEREAS, Lt. Sharp was known and respected among his fellow officers, his many9
actions that were above and beyond the call of duty.10
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby11
extend its highest commendations and recognition to Covington Police Department12
Lieutenant Douglas "Wade" Sharp for his extraordinary and courageous accomplishment in13
saving the lives of endangered citizens and for his ultimate sacrifice during the violent storm14
from which he protected his daughter.15
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this Resolution be transmitted to16
Lieutenant Douglas "Wade" Sharp and to the Covington Police Department.17
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Heyward Jeffers.
DIGEST
Donahue SCR No.
Commends Lieutenant Douglas "Wade" Sharp for his heroism and for saving his daughter's
life from a violent storm.