The woman credited with getting a North Augusta public safety officer to the hospital was recognized at the Dec. 20 city council meeting. Lt. Aaron Fittery, a 15-year veteran, was wounded during the Dec. 9 shoot-out on Georgia Avenue.
Allison Shellstrom, joined by her young granddaughter who was with her in the car that day, was praised for her bravery in getting the wounded officer in her car and rushing him to the hospital.
“We’re glad to say that our officers are fine and doing very well, you can see that Mr. Fittery, who’s sitting over here, he was officer that was struck. We’re glad to have him with us tonight, along with the whole shift that was involved in that incident,” said Public Safety Chief John Thomas. “I want to publicly thank Allison and her granddaughter for picking up Aaron and taking him to the hospital. Thank you, Alison. We appreciate it so much.”
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Mayor Briton Williams presented Shellstrom with a proclamation.
“I, Britton Williams, on behalf of the citizens of the city of North Augusta with sincere and heartfelt gratitude do hereby recognize and honor Alison Hudson Shellstrom and call upon our citizens of the city of North Augusta, South Carolina to express their appreciation to Ms. Shellstrom for herself selfless act of compassion,” the mayor read.
As those attending the meeting rose to give her a standing ovation, Shellstrom was joined by Fittery and all the officers on the scene that day.
The event began when officers tried to stop a suspicious vehicle but the driver, Thomas Airington, 42 of Clarks Hill, S.C., fled, first causing an accident at Martintown Road and Georgia Avenue then continuing down Georgia Avenue. He stopped near the intersection with Buena Vista Avenue, exited his truck and opened fire.
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Airington was wanted on outstanding warrants for failing to appear in court on multiple felony charges, including drugs and weapons.
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Fittery was shot in the leg during the incident, and his vehicle received extensive damage, including bullet holes in the driver’s seat headrest.
The incident is being investigated by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division.
Dana Lynn McIntyre is a Staff Reporter with The Augusta Press. You can reach her at dana@theaugustapress.com
