Police officers commended for saving lives
There are two people who are walking around today who might not have survived if it weren’t for their local police departments’ training programs and police officers quick actions. Moreover, the two separate incidents occurred within two days of each other.
The first emergency call came into the St. Peters Police Department on May 5; the second to Lake Saint Louis Police Department on May 7.
In St. Peters, Police Officer Andrew Linn responded to an emergency summons for assistance at a residence on Cross Trail Lane.
Upon his arrival, Linn reported he found a male subject who had collapsed on the bedroom floor and was unresponsive. Relying on his prior lifesaving training, Linn was assessing the victim when the man suddenly stopped breathing, but still had a faint pulse.
Immediately, the officer began rescue breathing techniques until the resident finally began breathing on his own, returning to consciousness.
According to St. Peters Public Information Officer Melissa Doss, emergency medical personnel arrived and also had to assist the 39-year old man with his unsteady breathing during transport to the SSM St. Joseph Hospital in St. Charles.
Doss said Police Chief Tom Bishop enforces a strict regimen of ongoing training within his department and lifesaving instruction is part of program.
“We actually have 20 hours (of ongoing training) over the state requirements for each officer,” Doss said.
On June 11, Bishop commended Linn for his “personal commitment to serving the community and his dedication to the preservation of human life,” presenting the officer with the department’s lifesaving medal.
Interestingly, Lake Saint Louis Police Chief Michael Force made a similar commendation on June 15 for the heroic actions of two of his officers who had responded to a call on May 7.
The circumstances are similar to that in St. Peters. Officers Gerald Crowley and Richard Gummels responded to a call alerting officers of a resident who had collapsed.
Upon their arrival, the officers found Ralph Goltz performing CPR on his wife JoAnn in the backyard of their home.
The officers did a quick assessment and determined JoAnn Goltz had no pulse and was not breathing. They took over resuscitation efforts until St. Charles County Paramedics arrived to take JoAnn Goltz to SSM St. Joseph’s Hospital-West in Lake Saint Louis.
“This is a good example of how caring young men and women, combined with proper training can make a significant difference in a person’s life,” Force said.
In a ceremony held at Lake Saint Louis City Hall, Chief Force awarded officers Crowley and Gummels lifesaving medals of their own as Ralph and JoAnn Goltz looked on.
