For Immediate Release Contact: Sgt. Matt Gard
December 7th, 2017 mjgard@lafayette.in.gov
(765) 807-1223
Lafayette Officers Presented with Life Saving Awards and Officer of the Year
On December 7th, 2017 the Lafayette Police Department recognized several officers with Life Saving Awards and also recognized the Lafayette Police Department Officer of the year.
Life Saving Awards
Officer Bryan Strah
Officer Ryan Black
Officer Alex White
On May 5th, 2017 Officers Black and Strah responded to a male in mental distress. The male was perched on a narrow ledge of his 3rd floor apartment believing that subjects were in his apartment. Officers Black and Strah were able to grab the subject and held him on the ledge until the Lafayette Fire Department arrived. Officer White went up in the ladder truck and was able to pull the male onto the ladder of the truck. The male was safely taken to the ground.
Officer Matt Wilkerson
Officer Wilkerson responded to a report of a heroin overdose in Romney Meadows. Officer Wilkerson found the victim not breathing. Officer Wilkerson provided rescue breaths with his CPR mask until the Lafayette Fire Department arrived and took over. The male was transported to a hospital where he survived.
Officer Rick Murphy
On March 17th, 2017 Officer Murphy was working security at Tecumseh Junior High School. He observed a male student lying on the floor not moving. Officer Murphy notified the school nurse by radio and sent several students to her as well to make sure she was notified. Officer Murphy rolled the student onto his back and found that he had no pulse. Officer Murphy radioed for dispatch to send medics and fire to his location. Officer Murphy retrieved an AED from the gymnasium wall. LFD arrived and assisted with chest compressions as Officer Murphy and Nurse Horner were attaching the AED. The student was shocked by the AED and transported to the hospital where he survived. The hospital staff stated that if it had not been for the quick action of Officer Murphy and the application of the AED the student would not have survived.
Officer Cassandra Leuck
On June 15th, 2017 Officer Leuck responded to a residence for a report of an adult female that was unresponsive. When Officer Leuck arrived on scene she found the female had no pulse. Officer Leuck began CPR and delivered 6 cycles of chest compressions before medics arrived. The female was transported to the hospital where she survived. Medical staff reported that Officer Leuck’s quick application of emergency medical care contributed to the woman’s survival.
Officer William Snider
Officer Israel Salazar
On July 12th, 2017 Officer Snider and Salazar responded to a residence for a neighborhood dispute. During the dispute a window was broken and the resident severely cut his arm on the glass causing massive trauma to his arm and cutting an artery. Officer Snider forced entry to the residence to help the resident. Officer Salazar applied pressure to the injury while Officer Snider applied his tourniquet. The resident was flown by lifeline to Indianapolis for the severe injury. Medics reported that the application of the tourniquet and quick action by the officers saved the residents life.
Officer Matthew Pate
On February 16th, 2017 Officer Pate responded to a medical problem of a female that was semi-responsive. When Officer Pate arrived he found the woman in agonal breathing and she had no pulse. Officer Pate administered CPR and was able to get a pulse back on the female. The female was transported to the hospital where it was determined to be a heroin overdose. The hospital staff credited R/O Pate with saving the female’s life.
Officer of the Year 2017
Officer Bernie Myers was presented with the Officer of the Year for the Lafayette Police Department for 2017. Officer Myers has consistently exemplified the high standards we hold at this department. He constantly willingly volunteers to assist his fellow officers and freely gives of his time to those in the community that are in need.
Sergeant Matt Gard
Community Outreach & Crime Prevention