OBSERVER Photo by J.M. Lesinski Officer Travis Hall (third from the right) poses with his close friends and family, including his mother, Daisy (center, to the left of Hall) and his brother, Will (to the right of Hall), who also held the Bible during Hall’s swearing-in.

GOWANDA — Two of the newer members of the Gowanda police force were honored at the Village Board meeting for their actions on the force. Officer Travis Small was officially sworn in at the meeting, while Officer Justin Grimm was given a letter of commendation for his help assisting a couple reach their son, who was recovering from brain cancer surgery.

Mayor Dave Smith made the announcement of the letter, also noting Grimm’s recent Facebook-related fame, wherein a family posted video of Grimm helping them shovel out their driveway while on duty.

“We have a letter of commendation here for one of our police officers, Justin Grimm,” said Smith. “Mr. Grimm, a Gowanda Central School graduate, has been an awesome addition to our police department.”

Smith then read the letter at length, which is excerpted as follows: “On Saturday night, Jan. 19, we had a family emergency. Due to recent health issues with our son (who) needed to have surgery for removal of a cancerous brain tumor, it was necessary for us as parents to be at his house to help. The roads were nearly impassable and unplowed at 2:30 a.m., which resulted in us being unable to drive up a hill on Route 62 … I contacted the Gowanda Police Department … they responded that an officer would arrive to assist us at the location. Gowanda Police Officer Justin Grimm arrived shortly to help us. … He was immediately able to assess our needs…and he responded quickly and appropriately. He gave me a courtesy ride to our son’s home up the hill. … He displayed kindness at a time we certainly needed it. I kept apologizing for inconveniencing him and his response was compassionate; ‘that is why we’re here to help.’ Signed, the Family of Gary Farley.”

Smith stirred up applause for Grimm and his mother, who was present at the meeting as well, also playfully plugging her “delicious burgers” at K&L Lanes.

Shortly thereafter, the board approved the hiring of Small, the newest addition to the Gowanda Police. Small, who plans to work as both an officer and a Seneca Marshall, was given an introduction by Officer-in-charge Dylan Feldmann.

“A little about Travis, he’s a Seneca Nation Marshall, he’s been working with us for almost two years, coming down and assisting Gowanda, along with us going onto the territories and assisting them,” Feldmann stated. “He went to the Erie County Academy. He’s still working at Seneca, (which) also opens up more relationships with the Seneca Nation.”

Hall then spoke briefly, gratefully acknowledging those who came to support him, before his swearing in from Smith. “Thank you everybody for the opportunity, I really do appreciate it,” Small said. “I’ve got some close friends and family supporting (me here). I will continue to serve and keep the community the way it is, and hopefully I do well for you guys.”