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**Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Personnel Honored for Heroic Deeds At Lifesaving Awards Ceremony. Special Award Given to Lakewood Volunteer, Who Save Her Own Husband**

On July 24, 2014, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) formally recognized 21 of their personnel for their heroic actions. Sheriff John L. Scott presented each recipient with the Department’s Lifesaving Award, which is given to employees or Reserve members of the Department whose actions result in the saving or preservation of a human life which would have otherwise been lost without the employee’s direct involvement.

Area Vice President of Securitas Security Services Eddie Chaudhry and Director Brett Clothier of Corporate Security Universal Studios Hollywood were also present at the ceremony in appreciation for deputy personnel who aided one of their security guards during a New Year’s Eve event at Universal City Walk.

In addition, Sheriff Scott awarded a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Star Scroll to a civilian Volunteer who helped save the life of her husband, who is also a Volunteer.

Assistant Sheriff Todd Rogers, who narrated the ceremony said, “It was my honor to be part of the Lifesaving Award ceremony. The stories we heard are representative of the heroic work done by the members of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department every day.”

DEPUTY DAVID R. FUREDI
Court Services West Bureau

On June 12, 2013, Deputy Furedi, assigned to the North Valley Court, responded to the main floor lockup area after deputies were alerted that a male inmate was in need of medical aid. Deputy Furedi saw the inmate was conscious, but unable to breathe.

He quickly administered the Heimlich maneuver several times and successfully dislodged a piece of food from the inmate’s airway, allowing the inmate to breathe again.

DEPUTY WELBY L. CHAM
DEPUTY HECTOR VAZQUEZ
Lakewood Station

On June 22, 2013, Deputies Cham and Vazquez, assigned to Lakewood Station, responded to a medical aid call at a local movie theatre. Deputies found a 53 year old male lying on the floor, unresponsive and not breathing. Deputy Cham immediately assessed the male’s condition and determined there was no pulse. Deputies Cham and Vazquez began CPR.

Los Angeles County Fire Department personnel soon arrived and paramedics determined the male was in cardiac arrhythmia and needed immediate cardiac defibrillation. Paramedics delivered one shock from an external defibrillator, began an IV, and started advanced life support treatment. Once in the ambulance, the male began breathing on his own and was transported to a local hospital.

Los Angeles County Fire Department on-scene supervisor related that Deputies Cham and Vazquez’s actions were vital in saving the male’s life.

SERGEANT LUIS CASTRO
County Services Bureau

On August 8, 2013, a call was received at USC Medical Center of a possible suicide patient on the fifth floor. Responding deputies were not able to locate the patient in that area, however, another call was received that the suicidal male was now on the roof and threatening to jump.

Sergeant Castro went up to the roof and saw the patient sitting on the ledge looking down. As Sergeant Castro approached the suicidal male, the patient said he was going to kill himself. He began leaning over the edge and told Sergeant Castro not to get any closer. Sergeant Castro noticed a religious pendant around the patient’s neck and asked him if he wanted to pray. This question distracted the patient and Sergeant Castro told him that God never wants anyone to take their own life. The patient agreed. Sergeant Castro said he would pray with him, but only if he came down off the ledge and onto the roof. The patient agreed and eased himself off the ledge and onto the roof. Sergeant Castro approached the patient, prayed with him, secured him, and walked him to safety
at the Psychological ER for evaluation.

Due to Sergeant Castro’s quick thinking and ability to establish a rapport with the patient, his life was saved.

DEPUTY DAVID GOMEZ
DEPUTY TIMOTHY L. STANLEY
Parks Bureau

On July 23, 2013, Deputies Gomez and Stanley, assigned to Parks Bureau, received a service call regarding a boating accident on Pyramid Lake. They responded to the accident scene and saw a person lying on the deck of a vessel with severe abdominal injuries and a deep laceration to his arm. Deputies Gomez and Stanley immediately requested a Los Angeles County Fire helicopter, began treating the victim by administering oxygen and stabilized his midsection, applying loose sterile dressings to the open wounds to slow the bleeding.

Deputies Gomez and Stanley secured the victim to a backboard and transported him to the main channel where they met fire paramedics. The victim was flown to a hospital and treated for his injuries.

According to witnesses, the victim was in the water untangling a fishing line from the propeller when the operator turned on the motor to avoid crashing into the rocks. Instead of going forward, the operator put the boat into reverse and ran into the victim.

Due to the quick actions of Deputies Gomez and Stanley, the victim was treated and stabilized prior to the arrival of paramedics and contributed greatly in saving the victim’s life.

DEPUTY AARON W. KING
Cerritos Station

On August 29, 2013, Detective King, assigned to Cerritos Station, responded to an attempt suicide call at Artesia Boulevard and the San Gabriel Riverbed overpass. The male was very distraught and was standing outside the guardrail edge of the overpass preparing to jump from the bridge to the concrete riverbed below. Detective King initiated a conversation with the male, who initially was hesitant to talk. Detective King quickly developed a rapport with the male and after a tense fifteen-minute dialogue, gained his trust and talked him away from the guardrail, thereby saving his life.

Detective King’s genuine concern and proactive effort were key to this successful outcome.

DEPUTY KRISTEN H. AUFDEMBERG
Century Regional Detention Facility

On September 12, 2013, Deputy Aufdemberg, assigned to Century Regional Detention Facility, was providing security for inmates during their dinner meal when she saw an inmate frantically flail both arms towards her chest and mouth indicating she couldn’t breathe. At this point, the inmate’s face had turned bluish-gray. Deputy Aufdemberg called for help, immediately applied the Heimlich maneuver, and was able to dislodge the object from the inmate’s airway, allowing her to begin breathing again.

Deputy Aufdemberg’s recent training in first aid and her quick action saved the inmate’s life.

DEPUTY DEREK J. KRUZNER
DEPUTY RICHARD E. NONN
SECURITY OFFICER GERARDO J. FREGOSO
Court Services West Bureau

On August 9, 2013, while on-duty at the Sylmar Juvenile Court, Security Officer Fregoso was alerted to a woman seated in the lobby who was possibly having a seizure. He immediately called for Deputy Kruzner to assist. Deputy Nonn also responded and saw Deputy Kruzner and Security Officer Fregoso trying to revive the victim. Security Officer Fregoso maintained an open airway while Deputy Kruzner began rescue breathing and Deputy Nonn performed chest compressions. Lifesaving efforts continued until they were relieved by Los Angeles City Fire paramedics.

It was later learned that the victim had been in full cardiac arrest from a possible heart attack and if not for the quick response and life-saving skills performed by Deputies Kruzner, Nonn and Security Officer Fregoso, the outcome may have been tragically different.

DEPUTY RYAN E. KEARNS
DEPUTY ADRIANA ROJAS
Lakewood Station

On August 23, 2013, Deputies Kearns and Rojas, assigned to Lakewood Station, responded to an attempt suicide call. When they arrived, they found a 28-year old female in her bedroom hanging inside the closet. Deputy Kearns immediately cut the cord from the female’s neck and found she was unresponsive and had no pulse. Deputies Kearns and Rojas began CPR and continued until a pulse was felt and the victim began to breathe. Deputies placed the victim in a recovery position until Los Angeles County Fire paramedics responded and transported the victim to a hospital.

Deputies’ Kearns and Rojas’ immediate actions, including CPR, were essential in saving the victim’s life.

DEPUTY JARED J. FLETCHER
Lancaster Station

On October 27, 2013, while off-duty, Deputy Fletcher came upon a vehicle which had crashed into a telephone pole. The vehicle was on fire and Deputy Fletcher stopped to render aid. The vehicle’s interior was filled with smoke and Deputy Fletcher was unable to see the occupants. He opened the driver’s door and found a female pinned against the steering wheel who was awake, but unresponsive. He pulled her out and moved her a safe distance away.

With the assistance of another motorist, they located a male passenger trapped beneath the dashboard. The vehicle fire continued to spread as Deputy Fletcher and the motorist struggled to free the trapped passenger. After several minutes, they were able to free the man and move him to safety.

There is no doubt the unselfish act and disregard for his own safety Deputy Fletcher displayed, saved the life of both occupants.

SERGEANT SHAWN COHEN
SERGEANT STEVEN FREIWIRTH
West Hollywood Station

On December 31, 2013, Sergeants Cohen and Freiwirth, assigned to West Hollywood Station, were working a New Year’s Eve event at Universal City Walk.

Sergeant Cohen was monitoring radio traffic and observing his surroundings when he saw a security guard suddenly fall to the ground. Sergeant Cohen rushed to his aid and assessed the unresponsive security guard, determined he was not breathing and had no pulse. Sergeant Cohen radioed for assistance and immediately began CPR.

Sergeant Freiwirth arrived and assisted Sergeant Cohen with providing first aid. Sergeant Cohen performed chest compressions and Sergeant Freiwirth ensured the security guard’s airway was open. The victim responded to their CPR efforts and took several deep breaths, however, when Sergeant Cohen ceased the chest compressions, Sergeant Freiwirth checked for pulse and breathing, but could not detect either.

When medical personnel arrived with an automated external defibrillator, Sergeant Cohen opened the victim’s shirt and stepped back to allow medical personnel to perform further lifesaving measures.

The victim was transported to a hospital where he was in ICU, on a ventilator and in an induced coma for ten days. The victim was eventually released from the hospital. He is currently at home and continuing therapy.

Without Sergeants Cohen and Freiwirth’s quick actions, teamwork and lifesaving first aid, the victim would not have survived.

DEPUTY JACKIE ROJAS
Century Regional Detention Facility

On November 2, 2013, Deputy Rojas, assigned to Century Regional Detention Facility, was monitoring inmates when she noticed a female inmate in distress, coughing and gasping for air. Deputy Rojas immediately contacted nursing staff and supervisors. She began the Heimlich maneuver on the inmate and after three to four thrusts, dislodged the food from the inmate’s airway allowing her to breathe.

Deputy Rojas’ immediate action and first aid saved the choking inmate’s life.

DEPUTY MICHAEL A. GELARDO
DEPUTY ESTEVAN PEREZ
Lancaster Station

On September 1, 2013, Deputies Gelardo and Perez, assigned to Lancaster Station, responded to a person down call. When they arrived at the scene, they encountered a female juvenile performing chest compressions on the victim, who was nonresponsive and had no pulse due to a drug overdose. Deputy Perez began chest compressions while Deputy Gelardo monitored the victim’s airway. They continued the chest compressions for several minutes until the victim began to gasp for air. Los Angeles County Fire arrived and transported the victim in critical condition.

Without the decisive and lifesaving actions of Deputies Gelardo and Perez, the victim might have perished from the overdose.

DEPUTY STEVEN J. VRANEK
VOLUNTEER DOROTHY MEYER
Lakewood Station

On October 7, 2013, volunteers were conducting a tour of Lakewood Station for a group of young boys. Deputy Vranek and Volunteer Dorothy Meyer were inside the armory area with the boys when a second volunteer, who is also Dorothy Meyer’s husband, began knocking on the door. Dorothy Meyer opened the door and saw her husband lose consciousness and fall to the floor, hitting the back of his head on the concrete floor.

Dorothy Meyer attempted rescue breathing on her husband while Deputy Vranek immediately called for help and began to assess the victim. Deputy Vranek did not detect a heartbeat and immediately began chest compressions while the victim’s wife provided rescue breathing. After approximately 45 chest compressions, the victim gasped and began to breathe, but then suffered a seizure. Paramedics arrived, treated the victim and transported him to the hospital.

Deputy Vranek’s and Dorothy Meyer’s quick actions, teamwork, and lifesaving techniques saved the life of Dorothy Meyer’s husband, Chuck.

Dorothy and Chuck have been married for 59 years and have worked together as Volunteers at Lakewood Station for nine years.

Prepared by:
Deputy Lillian Peck
Sheriff's Headquarters Bureau
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
323-267-4800
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