Eight members of the Chatham-Kent Police Service are being recognized for their work during two incidents this summer.
On June 30, 911 dispatch received a call about an unresponsive man inside a vehicle in Wallaceburg.
Constable Taryn Apers arrived just three minutes later and discovered the man hunched over the arm rest. She was able to get him into a semi-reclined position and immediately started providing chest compressions.
Constables Andy Brown and Chris Reynolds arrived shortly after and helped Apers pull the man out of the vehicle and onto the ground. Each then took turns administering CPR.
"Without hesitation they took action which is what we expect of our members and what we train for, but they demonstrated it in the face of adversary," said Matt Stezycki, the acting deputy chief of police at the time of the incident.
Unfortunately, the officers were unable to save the man's life.
Despite the outcome, each was given a Letter of Recognition for their efforts.
The second incident happened a few weeks earlier on June 5. A call had come in to 911 from a frantic mother who told them her daughter had ran away and was planning to take her own life.
Emergency Communication Operator Helen Grubb handled the call and remained on the line with the mother until officers arrived. She would also go on to dispatch fire and rescue who helped in the rescue efforts.
Emergency Dispatcher Supervisor Jen Roesch helped Grubb during the call, ensuring that the information gathered was accurate while also delivering all transmissions.
The family of the girl eventually found her in a field climbing a tree. That's when Constables Marco Sapateiro, Kyle Blommers, and Fraser Leontowicz arrived.
At this time, the girl had climbed up 40 feet. Soon after, she started to shake and convulse, which were signs of a seizure.
The officers then climbed the tree themselves to ensure she wouldn't fall.
After suffering two more seizures, the girl become responsive once again and started to fight with the officers. However, they were able to keep her secure, get her on a make-shift board, and lowered once fire and EMS arrived.
All five involved were awarded with a Chief's Commendation with Sapateiro and Blommers getting theirs in person at the monthly Chatham-Kent Police Board meeting on Oct. 9.
Leontowicz, Grubb, and Roesch were unable to attend.