Two Croswell Policemen, Two EMT’S, and the Croswell Fire Department were among those honored during an awards ceremony presented by the Sanilac County Police and Firemen’s Association on Saturday evening. Croswell officers Cameron O’Mara and Curt Smigell were named Law Enforcement Officers of the year, along with Sandusky Officer Jeremy Crisenbery.
The Croswell Fire Department received the Firefighter of the Year Award, and Croswell EMS Paramedic Sean Murray and EMT Amanda Aldridge were honored as EMT’s of the Year. They were all honored for saving the life of Croswell Fire Chief Steve Bales who suffered a severe heart attack on February 2nd. Bales’ wife Louanne also received a special life saving award.
Also sharing Law Enforcement Officer of the Year honors was Sandusky officer Jeremy Crisenbery, Crisenbery was cited for an incident on April 30, when a man had a knife threatening the safety of citizens. Crisenbery quickly chased and tackled the suspect and took him into custody.
Deckerville resident Mark Garavaglia is Sanilac County’s Citizen of the Year. Garavaglia was honored for saving the life of a bed-ridden woman whose home in Deckerville was totally engulfed in flames on September 6 of last year. Garavaglia entered the smoke-filled home and carried the woman to safety.
Sanilac County Dispatcher Kristol Schulz is the Dispatcher of the year. Shultz received honors for her work during a 911 call for an overturned kayak on June 13th. The caller could not hear the dispatcher. She was able to plot the call in Lake Huron off of Lexington. She listened to the caller’s update of the situation and led rescuers to the stranded man.
Meritorious service awards were also given to a number of individuals for life-saving instances. Sandusky police chief Brett Lester and Sanilac deputy Chad Adams were recognized for two separate incidents in which suicidal subjects were rescued and assisted, with no harm occurring.
Sandusky resident, Adrienne Kursinsky, received honors for noticing a two year old running along on the street unattended. She caught up with the child, notified authorities who located his parents, and the child was returned unharmed.
Sanilac County dispatchers Connie Smith and Sarah Gutc(goots) were recognized for their skill and leadership during two life-saving situations.
Ryan and Larry Sweet, and Jim Loss received Meritorious Service awards for their actions during an accident last September 7th on Bay City Forestville Road. The men lifted the truck off of the victim, administered CPR until he was resuscitated. He was airlifted to a Saginaw Hospital where he later passed away.
Port Sanilac Assistant Fire Chief Don Thomas recieved the President’s Award for over 50 years of outstanding service with the Port Sanilac Fire Department.
A special Bronze Award was given to the family of the late Darton Kenny in honor of his 42 years of service with the Sandusky Fire Department.
Sandusky firefighter, George Lasecki, was honored with a Community Excellence Service Award for leading the Sandusky High School students in their efforts to bring the Vietnam veteran’s moving wall to Sandusky in May.
