If not for the efforts of Puget Sound Fire Firefighter Jim Blatt, a Kent Police officer might not have been able to wrestle away a handgun from a man during an incident earlier this year.

Blatt received the Chief’s Award for Valor from Kent Police Chief Ken Thomas at the Tuesday City Council meeting for assisting Officer Andrew Reed, “in a dire situation that could have ended tragically,” Thomas said.

At about 2:14 a.m. on Jan. 18, Reed began to investigate an injury traffic collision.

”It was suspected one of the drivers was DUI so Officer Reed observed him as he searched for his vehicle registration,” Thomas said. “Moments later the driver pulled out a handgun from underneath some papers. Officer Reed quickly seized him in order to control the subject and the firearm.

“Firefighter Blatt – who was on the scene rendering aid – immediately jumped in and assisted with controlling the suspect against the vehicle. After the subject dropped the gun, Blatt assisted until the man was handcuffed.”

Reed reported to Thomas that Blatt didn’t simply assist but that his actions were instrumental in subduing the suspect’s arms and his ability to use the firearm.

“If he had not done what he did, the situation would have had a drastically different outcome,” Thomas said.

The chief presented a plaque to Blatt at the council meeting.

“Firefighter Blatt didn’t hesitate for a moment to help,” Thomas said. “He is being commended for his disregard for his own personal safety to assist Officer Reed and help control a situation that could have been critically dangerous for everybody at the scene.”

The council and people in the Council Chamber gave Blatt a standing ovation.