Goodyear Police Officer Dakota Berry was recognized with the Award for Valor his actions earlier this year when he rescued a woman from a burning vehicle on Interstate 10.
Berry pulled a woman from a car engulfed in flames following a crash near 91st Avenue on May 25. The woman was later identified as Asharie Cheatham, daughter of Goodyear Fire Capt. Simeon Cheatham.
His heroic act drew praise at the ASIS International Phoenix Chapter Law Enforcement Appreciation Luncheon. Founded in 1955, ASIS International is a community of security practitioners representing virtually every industry in the public and private sectors.
In a statement, Goodyear Police Chief Brian Issitt said he was proud to see Berry recognized.
“I had the honor of attending the ASIS International Phoenix Chapter Law Enforcement Appreciation Luncheon… where Officer Dakota Berry was the recipient of the Award for Valor, for his heroic actions earlier in the year rescuing a woman from a burning vehicle on the I-10,” Issitt stated. “I couldn’t have been more proud to stand with Dakota, as he represented the rest of the men and women of the Goodyear Police Department, who work so hard to keep our community safe every day.”
During the luncheon, the ASIS Phoenix Chapter presented Awards of Valor to officers selected from nominations submitted by their departments and reviewed by the chapter’s board. The annual event recognizes law enforcement officers from across the state for outstanding acts of bravery and dedication to duty.
A portion of the luncheon is dedicated to honoring fallen officers. Families of officers who have died in the line of duty are invited to attend and are presented with a small monetary remembrance, whether or not they are able to attend in person. The luncheon also serves as a fundraiser for the 100 Club of Arizona, which provides assistance to the families of fallen and injured first responders.
Berry’s recognition follows his rescue of Asharie Cheatham earlier this year, an act that drew widespread attention after her father shared his family’s story.
“What (Officer Dakota Berry) did was nothing short of a miracle,” Simeon Cheatham said in June. “The fact that he happened to be traveling back to Goodyear at that exact moment gives me chills. He wasn’t supposed to be there, but he was.”
Berry was returning from transporting a prisoner when he came upon the crash and saw that one of the vehicles was on fire.
“I ended up hearing the car horn honking and ran over to the driver’s side,” Berry said. “At that time, I realized someone was still alive in the vehicle. No matter what, I was going to do whatever I could to get them out.”
Berry broke the driver’s side window and pulled Cheatham from the car, suffering injuries to his own hand in the process. Cheatham, then a 19-year-old Arizona State University student, sustained burns to about a third of her body and underwent multiple surgeries at the Arizona Burn Center at Valleywise Health.
Issitt later visited Berry in the hospital following the rescue and thanked him for his courage.
“When I thanked him for his courage, he just said, ‘I was doing my job, sir,’” Issitt said at the time.
Simeon Cheatham called the rescue a moment his family will never forget.
“I know in my heart that Officer Berry would’ve done the same for anyone, because that’s who he is,” Cheatham said. “But it just so happened that day, it was my daughter. And for that, our family will be forever grateful.”
The community rallied around the Cheatham family during Asharie’s recovery, raising money through a GoFundMe campaign to support her medical care and rehabilitation.
The ASIS International Phoenix Chapter said its annual luncheon not only highlights moments of bravery like Berry’s but also reinforces the unity among Arizona’s law enforcement professionals.
James Goldmeer Reporter | Goodyear & Litchfield Park
Meet James James Goldmeer joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in July 2024, starting their career as a reporter in Goodyear and Litchfield Park.
Community: James grew up in the West Valley, calling Avondale home and going to school in Glendale and Peoria. Returning to the community after university, James plans to get involved in everything arts and culture, and civil rights.
Education: Northern Arizona University a bachelor's degree in Journalism, a certificate in Professional Communications, with a minor in English.
Random Fact: James spent half a year as an intern for the Arizona House of Representatives communication team, working with legislators to inform the public through press releases and social media.
Hobbies: James collects postcards and old books, reads memoirs and attends local jazz shows.
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