An unwavering stance to help others comes natural for Elizabethton Police Department Corporal Matt Taylor.

Elizabethton Police Chief Jason Shaw presented Cpl. Taylor with the department’s Life Saving Award during June’s City Council meeting following his efforts during an incident that took place May 3 within the city limits.

According to the report issued by EPD officials, officers were dispatched to Pine Ridge Circle in regards to a physical altercation in May and the call that came in indicated that a male subject had been struck by a vehicle.

Upon arrival, the report states the Cpl. Taylor observed the individual’s injuries and quick utilitized medical skills and train to apply the department’s issued tourniquet, which helped stopped bleeding from the subject’s right bicep area, which featured a heavy amount of blood loss. According to the award recommendation, made by Sgt. Douglas Combs, he stated that “it is my opinion that (the subject) would have continued to bleed profusely until the arrival of EMS and may have not survived, had Cpl. Taylor not acted.”

The presentation of the Life Saving Award marks Cpl. Taylor’s third while serving with the EPD.

Shaw also took time Thursday to recognize Lincoln Orellana, who was promoted to the position of patrol captain.

“After a close competition in the three-step process outlined by our City Personnel Policies, Lincoln Orellana has earned the promotion to Patrol Captain,” Shaw said.

The new captain assumes the role following the retirement of Art Smithdeal. Orellana has been a member of the police department since 2008, serving as a patrol officer, narcotics officer, patrol sergeant and a sergeant with the department’s CID. Orellana also serves as a field training officer, bike patrol officer and serves with the department’s Special Response Team.

Prior to his employment with the department, Orellana worked as the lead mechanic at a local trucking company following an honorable discharge from the United States Marine Corps.