Fire of another sort figured in the situation that earned C.O. Barbara Parker her Meritorious Duty Award. Her actions in coming to the rescue of an inmate with a life-threatening stab wound constituted "grace -- and professionalism -- under fire," according to the citation that accompanied the honor.

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The following citation with the NYC DOC Meritorious Duty Award to Correction Officer Barbara Parker is taken from the Medal Day 2011 booklet.

CORRECTION OFFICER BARBARA PARKER, N.I.C.

When an inmate was slashed at the North Infirmary Command on April 14th, Officer Barbara Parker was a textbook example of grace -- and professionalism -- under fire. While she wasn't in the vicinity at the time of the incident, Officer Parker, an 11- year veteran, ran over to help as soon as she heard shouts.

When she got to the area, Officer Parker saw the inmate still shackled and bleeding. She immediately placed her own hands on the wound, applying direct pressure to stave the bleeding. She helped staff to unshackle the inmate so that the inmate could place his hands over hers in order to apply more pressure to the site.

She accompanied the inmate, her hands still on his wound, to the clinic upstairs never leaving his side. "But for her swift actions, this could have ended up much more seriously," said Deputy Warden Brian Suprenant "Officer Parker is focused calm, and an excellent Officer. By all accounts, she definitely saved the day. She was very brave."

WEBMASTER NOTE: At Medal Day 2011 ceremonies in the George Motchan Detention Center (GMDC) on Rikers Island Nov. 15th, the NYC Department of Correction honored staff for heroic acts on and off the job, as well as for distinguished and exceptional on-the-job performance and community service. This New York Correction History Society (NYCHS) presentation features images derived from photos taken by NYCHS at the event as well as texts and images scanned by NYCHS from NYC DOC's Medal Day 2011 booklet distributed at the ceremonies.