Opelika Council Recognizes OPD Officers for Heroic Actions

 

The Opelika City Council convened for its meeting on Tuesday Oct. 15, 2025. During the meeting, City Council President Eddie Smith honored multiple police officers and city employees. 

Officers Jeremiah Gooden and CJ Rodgers were honored with the Life Saver Award for actions taken on March 5, 2024. Gooden and Rodgers responded to a business on Northpark Drive where an unresponsive employee was not breathing and appeared to have a heart attack. Gooden and Rodgers administered three minutes of chest compressions and three defibrillator shocks. The two officers stabilized the employee by the time Opelika Fire Medics arrived on scene. The employee was then taken to the hospital for further treatment.

Sergeant Johnathan Whaley was honored with a Meritorious Service Award for his leadership in the police department. OPD said Whaley “continues to ensure the Opelika Police Department is one of the top agencies in the area.” Whaley currently oversees the department’s new Field Training Officer (FTO) Program and Firearm Instructors. Whaley wrote the training guidelines and lesson guides for these programs and teaches many of the FTO classes. He also takes an active role in Officer Wellness and Community Outreach. 

Officer Charlton Martin was recognized with a Mayor’s Atta Boy Award for his heroic actions during an incident on the Hamilton Road I-85 overpass. During the incident, Martin prevented a man from jumping off the overpass and hurting or potentially killing himself.  Ivory Davis was recognized for 5 years and Mike Rodgers for 25 years of service. Not in attendance were Major Clifton and Operator Breedlove both with 25 years.

Additionally, President Smith recognized the anniversaries of multiple employees from across various city departments. Ivory Davis was recognized for 5 years and Mike Rodgers for 25 years of service. Not in attendance were Major Clifton and Operator Breedlove both with 25 years, who were recognized.The city also recognized Dr. Sean Forbes, the executive director of O Grows, and Ike Scott III of Scott Bridge Company. 

In other news: 

The Council approved two downtown street closures for events in upcoming months. The fourth Annual Glow for Epilepsy event will be held on Nov. 3, 2024. The Victorian Front Porch Walking Tour will be held on Dec. 14, 2024. 

Alcohol licenses were approved for Don Miguel Mexican Bar & Grill, Gohyong Gardens Koren Restaurant, and Phoenix Senior Living DBA The Phoenix at Opelika.

The council approved a bid to renovate the Spring Villa Park Lodge for $3,216,200.00. Toland Construction LLC won the bid for the project.

The council also approved a speed limit change on Society Hill Road. The speed will be reduced from 45 mph to 35 mph on the portion of Society Hill Road that stretches from the southern Auburn city limits to Williamson Avenue in Opelika. 

The master plan for the Ballfields development at the corner of Pepperell Pkwy & North 30th Street was approved to be amended by the council. The developers were previously approved to build 32 townhomes on the property. The town homes will be replaced with 64 apartment units.