November 2024

Officer of the Month

Officer Kerriann Frances and Officer Dinsdale Jackson

The North Miami Police Department’s “Officer of the Month” for November 2024 are Officer Kerriann Frances and Officer Dinsdale Jackson. Officer Frances and Officer Jackson are assigned to the Afternoon Shift Uniform Patrol Section. They are being recognized for their outstanding performance during the following incident:

On November 17th, 2024, at approximately 3:50 PM, Officers Frances and Jackson responded to an apartment near NE 7th Avenue and 126th Street for a welfare check requested by the resident’s caseworker through North Miami Communications. What began as a routine welfare check soon escalated into a critical, life-saving mission. Upon arrival, the officers encountered resistance from the female resident, who initially refused to open her door. Demonstrating extraordinary patience and resolve, Officer Frances engaged with the woman, earning her trust and convincing her to confirm her well-being. In a display of measured professionalism, Officer Frances guided the woman to contact her caseworker, seemingly bringing the call to a successful conclusion. Moments later, chaos erupted. The woman reappeared at the door, panic-stricken, pleading for help for her boyfriend before dashing back inside. Without hesitation, Officers Frances and Jackson rushed into the apartment, immediately met by a smoke-filled apartment and an unconscious male lying on the floor near the bedroom.

Recognizing the urgency of the situation, Officer Frances quickly donned her protective equipment and began a meticulous assessment of the man’s condition. Observing his unresponsive state and absence of a pulse, she initiated life-saving measures with swift precision. Meanwhile, Officer Jackson provided critical support, rapidly coordinating with dispatch to request Fire Rescue and additional officers to bring Narcan to the scene. Time was of the essence. The officers, undeterred by the chaotic environment, worked in seamless collaboration. With their department-issued body-worn cameras recording every harrowing moment, Officer Frances administered a dose of Narcan nasal spray, battling against the suspected overdose threatening the man’s life. She monitored him tirelessly, checking for any signs of life and providing steadfast verbal encouragement to coax him back to consciousness. Her vigilance was unwavering as she supported his head to prevent further injury and performed multiple sternum rubs in a desperate bid to revive him.

Simultaneously, Officer Jackson comforted the distraught girlfriend, gathering vital information about the overdose while maintaining control of the scene. Their relentless efforts paid off when faint moans broke the tense silence, signaling the man’s slow return to life. The officers’ voices, captured on video, resonated with hope: “He is breathing, and he is coming back.” For twelve minutes, Officer Frances fought to keep the male stabilized until Miami-Dade Fire Rescue arrived. Refusing to relinquish their commitment, Officer Jackson accompanied the male in the ambulance, ensuring his safety and ensuring he received the critical care he needed while enroute to the hospital.

There is no doubt that without the swift, decisive actions of Officers Frances and Jackson, this incident could have ended in tragedy. Their courage, quick thinking, and unwavering dedication saved a life and demonstrated the profound impact of our agency’s core values of Empathy and Professionalism.

I am deeply honored to commend Officers Kerriann Frances and Dinsdale Jackson for their heroic actions. Their extraordinary efforts reflect the highest standards of law enforcement and serve as a shining example of our officers’ positive impact on our community every day.