A Columbus North High School student was recognized during Tuesday’s meeting of the Board of Public Works and Safety for his efforts to purchase trauma kits for Columbus Police officers. Lt. Matt Harris, CPD spokesman, says that 17-year-old Kevin Thompson recognized the need for the kits after speaking with an officer about his senior project. Thompson will attend Olney Central College in Illinois on a baseball scholarship and plans to major in Criminal Justice. Harris says that Thompson raised over $6,000 to purchase the kits by speaking to local businesses in the community.

Harris says that each trauma kit contains latex gloves, a CPR shield, pressure tourniquet and quick clot gauze will be issued to every Columbus police officer. “These kits can be carried by the officer and are designed to stop traumatic bleeding” said CPD Chief Deputy Todd Harry. “We would like to thank Kevin for working hard to raise the funds to purchase the lifesaving kits for our officers” Harry added.