Checotah PD surprised Sheila Ward with a City’s Citizen of the Year Award for her fast action that saved the life of a 14-year-old kidnapped from Texas.

On July 11, in the early morning hours, Checotah Chief of Police Darren Glover and Lieutenant Marvin Harrell responded to an urgent call by the manager of Checotah Stop, Sheila Ward, regarding an alleged kidnapping.

Ward, who had opened the store that morning, was able to help a very scared little girl when her abductor stopped to get gas and let the minor go to the restroom.

While the man pumped the gas the minor pleaded to Ward for help.

Ward quickly made the decision to call the police department directly and put her phone on speaker so the girl could tell officers that she had been kidnapped and needed help.

“We only had a few minutes so I knew we had to act fast. I just said I needed an officer and then I had her tell them what was going on. It all happened so fast, I honestly didn’t have time to think, just react.”

Because of Ward’s quick decisions, the Checotah PD was able to confront the man without incident and pull the girl to safety.

“After the police had him and she was safe, I couldn’t stop crying. I knew I had saved her life. You just replay every moment over and over in your head. I’m just so thankful to the Checotah Police Department for responding so fast too.”

According to the police report, 27-year-old Marco Almanza from Collins, TX, was booked for rape and kidnapping the 14-year-old juvenile from her home in McKinney, TX and then driving her across state lines.

Police stated the juvenile had met Almanza through TikTok and when she went outside her home to meet him, he threatened to harm her family and she was forced to get into the vehicle with him.

“Due to Sheila Ward’s fast thinking and response this young lady made it back home alive,” Glover said.