Honour for hero officer who saved life of choking child
THE courageous actions of a police officer who saved the life of a child who was choking on a sweet on a busy street in Dungannon, have been recognised at a special PSNI awards ceremony.
The officer was handed a prestigious Royal Humane Society Resuscitation award after he went to the rescue of the youngster in the Market Square area in October 2011.
He was able to clear her airways and get her to breathe again. The girl made a full recovery.
Meanwhile, three Dungannon-based detectives have received PSNI Chief Constable’s Commendations for their successful investigation into a horrific kidnapping and sexual abuse case.
In August 2006, a Lithuanian woman reported to police she had been kidnapped from the Coalisland area and taken to Newry and then Antrim, where she was sexually abused by a number of men.
She eventually persuaded her kidnappers to release her on the promise of getting money for them.
Three men were arrested and in 2008 pleaded guilty to rape, kidnapping and false imprisonment. They were jailed for lengthy periods.
The awards were presented to the detectives by Lord Brookeborough at an event to reward and recognise the good work of police officers.
Chief Superintendent Pauline Shields, the F District commander, said the team “displayed the utmost professionalism, while never taking their eyes of the end goal of a service to the victim and the delivery of justice.”
Five officers, also from Dungannon, received Chief Constable’s Commendations for their actions in evacuating houses and businesses in Aughnacloy during a bomb alert in June 2010.
The citation said they demonstrated exceptional examples of teamwork, bravery and great personal courage to enter an area where reports indicated a car bomb had been left.
Eleven other officers received District Commander’s Commendations for their roles in managing and supervising the operation and arranging for a rest centre and the support of local people moved from the area.
Also recognised for their efforts were two Dungannon constables who received District Commander’s Commendations for their attempts to save the life of a man who had collapsed in Coalisland, in October last year.
Four Cookstown police officers were also awarded Chief Constable’s Commendations for saving the life of an intoxicated young woman.
In January 2011, officers saw the woman lying in the ground and made arrangements to take her home. On the way, she began to choke and CPR was performed and a blockage removed from her airway.
And five officers were awarded similar commendations for their work in evacuating a teenage disco when a fire broke out at local hotel in October 2010.
Up to 500 people were in the premises at the time.
The area was evacuated in under 10 minutes, with no injuries to civilians or police.
The awards were presented by Lord Brookeborough at the annual F District Reward and recognition event.
He said the range of actions that resulted in awards to all the officers was truly amazing
Lord Brookeborough said there was little doubt that there were individuals in the community who owed their lives to the professionalism and training of police officers.
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Weather for Dungannon
Saturday 25 May 2013
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