The Indiana State Police Department recently held an awards and recognition ceremony in Indianapolis. During the ceremony Indiana State Police Superintendent Douglas G. Carter and his primary staff publicly acknowledged the achievements, deeds of self sacrifice and accomplishments that all too often go unrecognized. An ISP sergeant from the Toll Road Post and an Indiana Toll Road Concession Company (ITRCC) employee were honored with a Life Saving Award at the ceremony.
On February 20, 2016, Sergeant Nora Werner was driving west on the Indiana Toll Road in Porter County when she saw a semi-tractor trailer in front of her drive off the road, strike a sign and come to a rest in a ditch.
Werner immediately rushed to the driver’s aid and determined that he was suffering from a severe medical condition. With assistance from ITRCC employee Jeff McGinty, Werner was able to get the driver out of the truck. On two separate occasions the driver’s pulse stopped. Werner and McGinty performed CPR until his pulse was restored and EMS personnel arrived.
It was later determined that the driver suffered a severe stroke, but because of the immediate lifesaving actions of Werner and McGinty the driver is expected to recover.
Werner and McGinty were both commended for their extraordinary conduct in saving the life of a fellow human being.
Werner, a 32-year veteran of the state police, currently supervises Toll Road District troopers who are assigned to work Porter, LaPorte, St. Joseph, Elkhart, and LaGrange Counties. Sergeant Werner resides in LaPorte County.
-30-
SMITH
