Left to right: Patrol Sergeant Sarah Sanchez, Patrol Deputies Christopher Wieczorek, Michael Wieczorek,
                   Holly Forrester, and Sheriff Kurt A. Hoffman. (Not pictured, Spec. Ops. Sergeant Dale Ellis)

Sarasota County Sheriff Kurt A. Hoffman presented several awards at a ceremony on Wednesday.

Deputies Michael Wieczorek and Christopher Wieczorek received the Life Saving Award for their quick response to a medical emergency. The victim was found face down in the deep end of a pool at an apartment complex. Christopher Wieczorek, with the assistance of a resident, removed the subject from the water and immediately initiated life-saving measures. Michael Wieczorek then arrived and assisted with CPR. They continued until Sarasota County Fire Department (SCFD) personnel arrived and took over. The victim was transported to the hospital for further treatment. The subject survived because of the rapid and decisive actions of these two deputies.

Sergeant Sarah Sanchez received a Life Saving Award for her quick response to a choking incident at a local restaurant. Sanchez was taking a lunch break when she was approached by an off-duty police officer from Ohio, who advised her of a male patron who was choking. Sanchez assessed the situation, requested Emergency Medical Services (EMS), and worked with the off-duty officer, who performed abdominal thrusts while Sanchez monitored the victim’s condition. After the thrusts were unsuccessful, the victim became unresponsive and was lowered to the ground. Sanchez began chest compressions, repositioned the citizen into the recovery position, and was then able to remove the obstruction from his airway. He regained consciousness and was taken by EMS to the hospital for further evaluation. Because of Sanchez’s expert training and quick reaction, the victim survived.

Deputy Holly Forrester also received a Life Saving Award for her response to a report of a drowning incident involving a three-year-old child. Forrester was first at the scene and found the child unresponsive with an undetectable pulse. She immediately began chest compressions and instructed the child’s father to provide rescue breaths. After working together through several rounds of chest compressions, Forrester reassessed the child and detected a pulse. The child was positioned on the side to attempt to clear the airway. SCFD arrived, took over life-saving measures, and transported the child via helicopter to the hospital. Forrester acted with heroic effort and efficiency, resulting in the survival of the child.

Sergeant Dale Ellis received the Life Saving Award for his response to a truck sliding backward on a boat ramp with a three-year-old trapped in the backseat. Ellis, who was off duty at the time, instantly recognized a life-threatening situation. He swam to the sliding truck and managed to get on top of the truck’s rear bed cover as the vehicle continued sinking. He reached through the open rear window and successfully unbuckled the child from her seat restraints. With the assistance of the parents, who had escaped the truck and were nearby, they safely extracted the child through the driver’s side door, avoiding the rising water in the cab of the truck. Because of his rapid assessment and physical intervention, Ellis was able to prevent a potentially fatal drowning.

“The stories we heard today reminded us of the importance of good training and deputies who are constantly aware of the situations around them,” said Sheriff Hoffman. “We are proud of the extraordinary effort put forth by our deputies every day that they serve our community and even when they are off duty.”