Off-duty DA investigator pulls drowning boy from lake; Rome reopens roof repair grants

A Floyd County District Attorney investigator was camping at the Rocky Mountain Project on May 3 when he heard screaming from the water. What he did next earned him a formal commendation from county commissioners — and a reminder of why off-duty doesn't really mean off-duty for law enforcement.

Floyd County Commissioners recognized DA Investigator Jamie White at their Tuesday meeting for rescuing an approximately 10-year-old boy who was drowning in the lake, according to mykcountry.com. White was off duty when he heard the cries for help and acted immediately.

Somebody on the shore said 'He can't swim.' Without any hesitation at all, Jamie dove into the lake and rescued the child, and he brought the child back to shore. I would say to you that his courage, his dedication, and his quick actions reflect great credit, not only upon himself, but it is in keeping with the highest traditions of law enforcement in our area.— Leigh Patterson, Floyd County District Attorney

We appreciate Investigator White's heroic efforts while off duty and are glad he was in a place he was needed at a time when he was desperately needed.— Rhonda Wallace, Floyd County Commission Chair

The recognition came at a Tuesday county meeting following the May 3 incident, with commissioners, the DA, and White gathered for a formal acknowledgment, according to mykcountry.com.

Separately, Rome-area homeowners dealing with the region's recent heavy rainfall have a resource to tap: the City of Rome has reactivated its Roof Repair Program and is now accepting applications, according to northwestgeorgianews.com. A crumbling back-porch roof on a Kingston Avenue home was already repaired through a city grant, offering a concrete example of what the program can do.

The program provides financial assistance — including grants — to income-eligible homeowners who need a roof repaired or replaced, according to romega.us. Funding is limited and distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, meaning early applicants have the best shot. Homeowners can contact the city's Community Development office at 706-236-4477 to learn more or start an application.

Roof repair assistance programs like Rome's are typically funded through federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) dollars, which flow from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to local governments for exactly this kind of housing rehabilitation work. Income eligibility thresholds generally target low-to-moderate income households, though specific limits vary by program year and household size.

Why it matters — A local law enforcement officer's split-second decision saved a child's life, and separately, Rome homeowners battered by recent rains have a narrow, first-come window to get free or subsidized roof repairs before city funds are gone.

Reported by northwestgeorgianews.com, local3news.com, romega.us, romega.gov, mykcountry.com