News Flash

Home

Posted on: March 8, 2023

Chris Hayth Named Salem's Police Officer of the Year

Salem Police Department Logo

In a time when having the ability to practice proper lifesaving measures is deemed more important than ever, it is truly appropriate that Chris Hayth has been named the Salem Police Department’s 2022 Officer of the Year.

“We are extremely proud of Officer Hayth,” said Salem Major Derek Weeks. “He is a young man full of humility who comes to work each shift to serve our community, and his actions represent the best of our profession.”Police Officer Chris Hayth

In November of last year, Hayth was dispatched to two critical calls in the city and rose to the occasion in both instances. For staying calm under pressure, applying the techniques he was taught and for showing tremendous compassion for the families who were involved, his peers voted him Police Officer of the Year.  

“It’s nice to know that you are appreciated in the workplace, but I am not a very prideful person, said Officer Hayth. “I just believe when you have the mindset of being humble you approach every situation knowing it’s not about you, but rather about the person you are trying to help to the best of your ability.”

On November 8, Hayth found himself administering CPR for over 5 minutes to an elderly man before medics took over his care inside a Salem residence. Just 14 days later, he was dispatched to help a 7-month-old infant who was choking in the front yard of the family’s home.

“To be honest, I wasn’t 100 percent sure where the address was in the city, but I got there quickly and found the mom holding her child and crying,” he said. “Understandably, she was hysterical.”

Like most kids, this one was in the phase of putting everything it picked up in its mouth. In this instance, an innocent piece of a leaf was now blocking the young girl’s airway.

“We could tell the child was choking and not able to breath, so I placed her across my arm and administered infant CPR,” he said. “Two taps on the back and the child started crying and breathing again. I then stayed with the mom until the medics arrived and reassured her that everything was going to be OK.”

Being that reassuring voice is not always easy. Hayth relies on his own life experiences to provide true empathy and comfort to others.

“I have been through quite a bit, so I can relate to a lot of what people are going through,” he said. “I try to always have an understanding and a compassion for people, especially on calls concerning family.”

Hayth lost both of his parents before he reached the age of 20. He was just 17 years old and a student at William Fleming High School when his dad died in a vehicle accident, and just two years later his mother also passed away.

“At the time, I had two older brothers and two younger sisters and having to help my sisters really accelerated my maturity,” he said. “I did not really get to have those teen years that most people go through, but looking back that probably benefitted me.”

He graduated from Fleming in 2008 where he was in the ROTC and then joined the National Guard for six years as part of the organization’s military police. In 2014, he began working private security for various entities in the Roanoke Valley and in 2020 he joined the Salem Police Department.

Each experience taught him the value of having effective communication and positive people skills.

“Literally, three words out of your mouth can dictate the outcome of any situation,” he said. “What I say can alleviate a situation and often make something that initially seemed really big much smaller. You have to know how to talk to people in this line of work.”

Hayth plans to make a career of serving others through law enforcement and the Salem resident is extremely appreciative of the way he and his fellow officers are treated in Salem.

“The community support for the police department and first responders is one of the main things that drew me to Salem,” he said. “I think it makes it easier for me to do my job if I don’t have to worry about being second guessed by citizens. That helps all of us make the right decisions.”

Decisions that are often lifesaving.

“Officer Hayth has been the example of resilience during his time at the Salem Police Department,” said Salem Police Chief Mike Crawley. “He has overcome various obstacles to get where he is today, and he has done so without complaining. He shows up, works hard and routinely puts forth his best effort.”




Facebook Twitter Email

Other News in Home

Salem City Seal

2023 Holiday Events All Set for Salem

Posted on: November 17, 2023
Salem City Seal

2023 Halloween Events Set For Salem

Posted on: October 3, 2023
Salem Civic Center Logo

Hitmaker Dustin Lynch Returning to Salem

Posted on: September 21, 2023
Salem City Seal

Electoral Board Meets on September 11

Posted on: September 9, 2023
Salem City Seal

Salem Seeks City Manager Applicants

Posted on: September 5, 2023
Salem Civic Center Logo

Salem Fair Enjoys The Ride in 2023

Posted on: July 10, 2023
Salem Civic Center Logo

Heavy Metal Rockers Coming to Salem

Posted on: June 13, 2023
Salem Fire Department Logo

Structure Fire at 2011 Apperson Dr.

Posted on: April 22, 2023
Salem Fire Department Logo

Structure Fire at 16 McDivitt Road

Posted on: April 22, 2023
Salem Parks and Recreation Logo

2023 Easter Egg Hunt Set for April 5

Posted on: March 21, 2023
Salem Civic Center Logo

New Owners for the Salem Red Sox

Posted on: March 17, 2023
Salem Fire Department Logo

Early Morning Fire on West Main Street

Posted on: January 14, 2023
Salem City Seal

2022 Holiday Events All Set in Salem

Posted on: November 22, 2022
Salem Civic Center Logo

Indoor Pro Lacrosse Coming to Salem

Posted on: November 21, 2022
Salem Parks and Recreation Logo

2022 Halloween Activities Set in Salem

Posted on: October 20, 2022
Salem Fire Department Logo

Salem Fire and EMS Extinguish 9th St. Fire

Posted on: September 25, 2022
Salem Police Department Logo

Salem Police Receive Statewide HEAT Honor

Posted on: September 16, 2022
Salem City Seal

Olde Salem Days 2022 Traffic Information

Posted on: September 7, 2022
Salem City Seal

Apperson Bridge Sidewalks Closed

Posted on: May 22, 2022
Salem Civic Center Logo

Paw Patrol LIVE Coming to Salem In June

Posted on: February 14, 2022
Salem Fire Department Logo

Yokohama Fire Causes $160,000 Damage

Posted on: December 20, 2021
Salem Police Department Logo

Police Arrest Two for Stealing from Cars

Posted on: December 3, 2021
Salem City Seal

2021 Holiday Events Announced for Salem

Posted on: November 17, 2021
Salem Fire Department Logo

Commercial Fire at MedExpress on West Main

Posted on: November 10, 2021
Salem Fire Department Logo

Three Pets Perish in Peach Street Fire

Posted on: November 5, 2021
Salem City Seal

Council Proclaims Murray Cook Day in Salem

Posted on: September 28, 2021
Salem Fire Department Logo

Structure Fire on Azalea Street

Posted on: August 27, 2021

Parker McCollum is Coming to Salem

Posted on: August 26, 2021
Salem Fire Department Logo

Structure Fire on Victoria Street

Posted on: April 3, 2021
Salem Fire Department Logo

Dog Perishes in Front Avenue Fire

Posted on: March 30, 2021
Salem City Schools Logo

Epperly Named Assistant Principal at SHS

Posted on: February 10, 2021
Salem Police Department Logo

Goodman Named Police Officer of the Year

Posted on: February 10, 2021
Salem City Schools Logo

Kayla Wood Named SHS Girls Soccer Coach

Posted on: February 10, 2021
Salem Fire Department Logo

House Fire on Valleydale Avenue

Posted on: January 23, 2021
Salem City Seal

I-81 Widening Meeting Set for Feb. 9

Posted on: January 11, 2021
Salem City Seal

Local COVID-19 Vaccination Plans

Posted on: January 11, 2021
Salem Fire Department Logo

Structure Fire on Stonewall Circle

Posted on: January 4, 2021
Salem City Seal

Need Help with Utility Bills Payment?

Posted on: December 21, 2020
Salem City Seal

2020 Holiday Events Set For December

Posted on: November 30, 2020
Salem City Seal

Salem Receives Second State Tourism Grant

Posted on: November 16, 2020
Salem City Schools Logo

Boyd Named SHS Boys Basketball Coach

Posted on: November 12, 2020
Salem Police Department Logo

Salem Murder Suspect Arrested in West Va.

Posted on: November 10, 2020
Salem City Seal

Salem Awarded 15 New NCAA Championships

Posted on: October 14, 2020
Salem City Schools Logo

Salem School Division Earns Statewide Honor

Posted on: September 21, 2020
Salem Parks and Recreation Logo

2020 Salem Half Marathon Goes All Virtual

Posted on: September 14, 2020
Salem Parks and Recreation Logo

Parks & Rec Offering New Wellness Classes

Posted on: September 8, 2020
Salem City Seal

Phase II Downtown Revitalization Underway

Posted on: September 3, 2020
Salem City Seal

Rob Light Named Assistant City Manager

Posted on: August 24, 2020
Salem Parks and Recreation Logo

Salem Half Marathon COVID-19 Update

Posted on: July 30, 2020
Salem City Seal

Council Extends Due Dates for Taxes

Posted on: April 14, 2020
Salem City Seal

Local Governments Declare Emergencies

Posted on: March 16, 2020
Salem Police Department Logo

Police Make Arrest in Baymont Inn Incident

Posted on: February 19, 2020
Salem Fire Department Logo

Residential Fire on West Riverside Dr.

Posted on: February 16, 2020
Salem Civic Center Logo

Americana Music Artists Coming to Salem

Posted on: February 10, 2020
Salem Police Department Logo

Webb Named Salem Officer of the Year

Posted on: January 21, 2020
Salem City Schools Logo

Adam Ward Classic Expands for 2020

Posted on: January 14, 2020
Salem Fire Department Logo

Commercial Fire on Salem Industrial Dr.

Posted on: January 5, 2020