Yesterday, at 1:00 p.m., the Montgomery County Police Department recognized officers and non-sworn personnel for meritorious service during an Awards Ceremony. While the officers honored consider their heroics to be part of the job, each has a compelling story of putting another person’s life before his or her own.

The Lifesaving Award is the second most prestigious award given by the Department and was presented to sixteen officers. The Lifesaving Award is given to the employees who make a major contribution toward saving the life of another by providing essential medical treatment prior to the arrival of Emergency Medical Service personnel.

Second District Officers Christina Ragan and Joshua Hess: On October 5, 2008, Officers Ragan and Hess responded to a private residence in the 5500 block of Friendship Boulevard in Chevy Chase for the report of a man who attempted to commit suicide by cutting his arm. They located the victim who was suffering from a deep arterial injury. Officer Ragan immediately provided first aid by applying direct pressure to the wound in an effort to reduce bleeding. Officer Hess kept the victim alert by applying sternum rubs as the victim kept fading in and out of consciousness. Once Fire and Rescue personnel arrived, the victim was transported to the hospital where the victim was treated for his wounds.

The award states that: “The doctors believed that the officers’ actions had saved the man’s life.”

Third District Officers Jeffrey Brewer and Brian Merryman: On December 14, 2008, officers were patrolling the area of Piney Branch Road and Arliss Street when they heard the sound of several gun shots. Officer Brewer observed a Metro bus stopped in the roadway and discovered three victims inside with gun shot wounds. He assessed the victims to determine the severity of their injuries. One victim had a gunshot wound to the abdomen; victim two had two gunshot wounds to the abdomen and thigh; the third victim had a gunshot wound to the abdomen. Officers Brewer and Merryman, with assistance from other officers, had used gauze to apply pressure to their wounds to slow the loss of blood. Once Fire and Rescue personnel arrived, the victims were transported to the hospital. One victim sustained injuries too severe and died at the hospital. The other two victims survived.

The award states that: “The scene was extremely dynamic and difficult to handle as the shooter was still on the loose. The victims were bleeding profusely, thus exposing the officers to biohazard as well. Had it not been for the combined efforts of all officers involved, the three victims would have died at the scene.”

Third District Officers Colleen Tucker and David Courtemanche: On November 21, 2008, Officers Tucker and Courtemanche responded to a call to assist Fire and Rescue with a two-year-old in full cardiac arrest. Upon arriving at the scene, Officer Tucker relieved the mother who was performing Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR). The toddler had pre-existing medical conditions and was breathing from a tracheotomy tube that had slipped out. After it was reattached, Officer Tucker continued compressions while Officer Courtemanche continued respirations. Fire and Rescue arrived and transported the toddler to a nearby hospital where she was stabilized.

The award states that: “Had the officers not acted and used their good judgment, the toddler would most likely have expired.”

Second District Officers Frank Fish and Matthew Majkrzak: On January 5, 2009, Officers Fish and Majkrzak were responding together to the Third District to assist with calls for service. As they were responding, Officer Majkrzak, who was driving, encountered a vehicle which was being driven recklessly. It had crossed the double yellow line in the area of East West Highway and Brookeville Road. Officer Majkrzak made an evasive maneuver to avoid an impending head-on collision. The vehicle eventually struck a curb causing it to flip several times and come to rest after striking an electrical pole. As a result of the collision, the vehicle was leaking fuel and a fire started in the engine block. Officers Fish and Majkrzak made entry into the vehicle to remove the incapacitated occupants and provided first aid. The investigation determined that the driver was driving under the influence of alcohol and was charged accordingly.

The award states that: “The officers were presented with a tense and volatile situation that needed prompt rescue action to eliminate an imminent threat of life. Neither of the officers faltered under pressure, utilized their training, and preformed exceptionally. The officers did what they were trained to do and provided a valuable public service.”

Fourth District Officer Marvin Walker: On January 2, 2009, Officer Walker responded to a call for what was described as a suicide in progress on Amherst Avenue in Wheaton. Officer Walker arrived and entered with an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Farrar Carthan. They located the victim who was lying unresponsive on his bed. Officer Walker and EMT Carthan began CPR. Additional Fire and Rescue personnel arrived and transported the victim to a local hospital. While transporting to the hospital, Fire and Rescue personnel administered defibrillation to the victim several times. The administration of the defibrillation machine resulted in the victim being revived.

The award states that: “Officer Walker’s lifesaving actions in this incident were both spontaneous and proficient. It is known that CPR is unlikely to restart the heart, but rather its purpose is to maintain a flow of oxygenated blood to the brain and heart. Officer Walker created the window and extended the opportunity needed to save the life of the victim.”

Detective William James Peacock: On October 28, 2008, Detective Peacock was traveling home on Hawkins Creamery Road toward Damascus when he observed a commotion on the side of the road as a result of a collision. He immediately notified the Emergency Communications Center (ECC). Detective Peacock conducted a quick assessment of the occupants able to exit the vehicle which had collided into a tree and caught fire. Detective Peacock quickly realized that there was someone still inside the burning vehicle and retrieved his fire extinguisher. He was able to retard the flames until further assistance arrived.

The award states that: “The swift and heroic actions taken by these first responders to the scene unquestionably saved four young lives. These actions were taken under extremely dangerous circumstances and without regard for their own well-being.”

Sixth District Sergeant Robert Lumsden and Officer Joseph Cencula: On June 15, 2008, officers responded to the report of a stabbing that occurred in the unit block of West Diamond Avenue in Gaithersburg. Once the victim was located, Sergeant Lumsden and Officer Cencula, along with Gaithersburg Police officers, assessed his condition and rendered first aid. A significant stab wound to the victim’s right shoulder and neck area was discovered by Officer Cencula. Sergeant Lumsden was able to use the newly issued Quik-Clot packs to help control the bleeding. The victim was suffering from at least fifteen stab wounds and was bleeding profusely, so the officers used bandages and gauze in an effort to stop the bleeding. Officers continued to render lifesaving first aid while awaiting the arrival of Fire and Rescue personnel.

The award states that: “Fire and Rescue and hospital personnel were noted as saying that the first aid rendered by the officers on scene saved the victim’s life.”

Sixth District Officer Elijah Gene Austin Kinser: On March 29, 2008, officers were dispatched to the area of the 17100 block Queen Victoria Court in Gaithersburg for an individual who had fallen through a ground floor apartment window and wandered about covered in blood. Once located, Officer Kinser observed he had severed his Dorsalis Pedis artery located in his ankle and immediately applied direct pressure dressing the wound which stopped the flow of blood.

The award states that: “Fire and Rescue commended Officer Kinser for his quick thinking which aided in the saving this individual’s life.”

Special Investigations Division Sergeant Marc Yamada: On September 27, 2008, Wheaton High School was hosting a class reunion at the Golden Bull Restaurant in Gaithersburg. A female member of the class ate food that became lodged in her throat and blocked her windpipe. Sergeant Yamada, who was off-duty and attending the function, observed his classmate in distress. He came to her aid and discovered she was unable to speak and then fell unconscious. Sergeant Yamada performed the Heimlich Maneuver and was successfully able to dislodge the obstruction in her throat. She regained consciousness.

The award states that: “This is an excellent example of how an officer’s training and experience is used everyday on and off duty protecting and serving the citizens of Montgomery County.”

Emergency Communications Center Public Safety Communications Specialist (PSCS) Chanel Gary: On August 28, 2008, PSCS Gary received a 9-1-1 call from a citizen who intended to shoot and kill himself because of his medical condition. PSCS Gary quickly forwarded the information to be dispatched while continuing to engage the caller in dialogue. She stayed on the phone with him for approximately one and a half hours and established a relationship with the caller and convinced him to put his gun down.

PSCS Gary gave continuous safety updates to personnel on the scene. The caller remarked to officers that he “put the gun down and came out because of the nice lady on the phone.”

The award states that: “Her personal connection with the caller resulted in him surrendering peacefully to police.”

The other award categories included: 1 Sworn Supervisor of the Year Award to Sergeant Tomas Rodea; 1 Civilian Supervisor of the Year Award to Patricia Beauchamp; 18 Commendation Awards to Sergeant Adam Currie, Officer Douglas Barros, Officer Karen Carvajal, Officer Jeffrey Bunge, Officer Darren Crandell, Officer John King, Officer Gerald Mack, Officer Jared Maurer, Officer Charles Merriman, Officer Alex Miranda, Officer Romand Schmuck, Officer Jeffrey Rea, Officer William Shortall, Officer Matthew Wagner, Officer Carlo Corvoisier, Detective Darrell Followell, Officer Daniel Manzo, and Officer Jonathan Raimondi; 2 Unit Citation Awards to 4th District Special Assignment Team and Child Abuse/Sex Offense-Family Crimes Division; and 1 Certificate of Appreciation Award to Robert Patton.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 29, 2009    FOR MORE INFORMATION:
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