BECKLEY, WV (LOOTPRESS) – On June 14th, at the WV DNR District Office in Beckley, Officers gathered to honor a special young boy named Abel Meadows.
Abel was involved in a hunting incident during the 2020 Spring Turkey season when he stained a critical gunshot wound. 7-year-old Abel was airlifted to Charleston General where he spent 11 days going through several surgeries and recovered from the incident. During this time Abel and his family made some special friends. It was Corporal GW Wood who first contacted Abel while still on scene at the incident. Cpl. Wood secured the area where the accident happened and coordinated with EMS and other agencies about Abel’s wellbeing.
Cpl. Wood at this time also contacted the Meadows Family and that would prove to be the start of what is now a lasting relationship. While Abel in flight to the hospital, DNR Officers phoned ahead to have one of their own waiting for Abel to arrive. 40-year veteran and Department Chaplain Sgt. Jeff Sweeney would be Abel’s next friend in the making. Sgt. Sweeney spent several days checking in on Abel and comforting the family.
Again, another lifelong relationship was in the making. Cpl. Wood and Sgt. Sweeney were vital to the Meadows Family for several weeks and still today they talk and text back and forth.
While Abel and the Meadows Family visited the District 4 Office, Officers were on hand to celebrate with Abel. DNR Director Stephen McDaniel presented Abel with a Lifetime Hunting and Fishing License. The license was purchased by the Natural Resources Police Officer Assoc. aided by a donation from DNR Commissioner Dr. Gregory Burnette. Also recognized was Daniel Meadows, Abel’s older brother who was with him at the time of the incident. Daniel’s quick actions and calmness under pressure was extremely important in the amazing outcome of this ordeal.
Despite their horrible day afield, neither Abel or Daniel lost their love for the outdoors and this past year were back in the turkey and deer woods. DNR Officers find themselves responding to critical incidents all over our great State. WV offers many wonderful opportunities for the outdoor enthusiasts what it may be but sometimes these outings can turn into a bad day. It is then when the Natural Resource Police Officers step in to assist. The Director presented Cpl. Wood with the Districts NWTF Officer of the Year Award for his professionalism and for going above and beyond in the handling of the incident.