On Friday, May 13th, Sergeant Ryan Vassar and K-9 Officer Brian Hernandez were honored with Lifesaving Awards during the annual District 1 Law Enforcement Council luncheon at Hard Rock Live.
On September 29, 2021, Sgt. Vassar was traveling southbound on Calumet Avenue approaching Ridge Road when he observed a vehicle that was traveling east on Ridge Road at a high rate of speed and clearly not slowing down for the red light. It was later discovered that the driver was enroute to the hospital. At the same time, he observed a semi-tractor trailer traveling north on Calumet Avenue. Both vehicles entered the intersection at the same time and were involved in a collision.
The driver of the first vehicle exited while holding a two-month old baby while yelling for help and stating that the child was not breathing. Sgt. Vassar took control of the infant and did not feel a pulse or hear any breathing. Realizing that the infant was possibly choking he began to do back slaps to dislodge what obstruction was in her throat. Officer Hernandez arrived on scene and immediately began to assist by conducting CPR with Vassar assisting. During the officer’s efforts, the baby whimpered and regained a pulse. Medics arrived on scene and took over treatment of the infant.
Please join us in congratulating these officers for receiving this well-deserved honor. We appreciate their hard work and dedicated service and also congratulate the other officers who were honored last week.
