Church Member Honored with Life Saving Award from the Oak Grove City Police Department

Oak Grove City patrolman José Alba received the Life Saving Award on November 6, 2024, for his actions that saved a man’s life earlier this year. Alba, a dedicated member of the Clarksville, Tenn., Church, said he gives all credit to God for guiding him through the intense situation.

The incident occurred in July, when Alba responded to a call about a suicide attempt just a few blocks from his location. He arrived on the scene to find a man in critical condition. Acting quickly, Alba performed CPR, maintaining the man’s pulse until emergency medical responders arrived. The man was transported to the hospital and has since returned home.

Despite the commendation, Alba shares that it is God who deserves the glory.

"God put me there," Alba said. "I was not scheduled to work that night; I had just picked up an overtime shift. I wasn’t supposed to be on duty, but God had a purpose."

Alba has been with the Oak Grove Police Department for three years and said he joined law enforcement to serve his community.

"I checked on the person about a month later and went back to talk to him," Alba said. "I think I like my job for that reason — because I can talk about the love of God and sometimes even share [my testimony]. The truth is, I’m just an instrument God uses."

The award ceremony on November 6 was attended by fellow officers, community members, Alba’s family, and the Kentucky-Tennessee Conference president, Steve Haley, who also served as a policeman early in his career.

Beyond his work as a patrolman, Alba is actively involved in his church community. He is especially engaged with his church’s Pathfinder club and volunteers as the Kentucky-Tennessee Conference’s Hispanic Clubs Coordinator.