Life Saving Awards

Dispatcher Krystal Heim. Case # 22-890, Case # 22-914 & Case # 22-1179. On January 16th, 2022, at approximately 0730hrs Dispatcher Heim took a 911 call from a reporting party who reported that the person they were with was not breathing due to a drug overdose. Dispatcher Heim remained calm and relied on her training as she gave the reporting party CPR instructions. The reporting party followed Dispatcher Heim’s clear, concise instruction which resulted in the victim surviving the incident.

Approximately 10 hours later that day Dispatcher Heim answered another 911 call regarding a person not breathing due to another heroin overdose. Again, Dispatcher Heim was able to give clear and concise instructions to the reporting party which they followed causing the victim to survive the incident.

On January 20th, 2022 (4 days later) Dispatcher Hiem answered a third 911 call regarding a person not breathing due to a heroin overdose. Dispatcher Heim again utilized her training and calm demeanor and gave the reporting party CPR instructions. The reporting parting administered CPR and the victim survived the incident. Dispatcher Heim successfully assisted in saving the lives of three individuals. Her ability to effectively communicate life saving techniques in a stressful situation to untrained individuals speaks volumes to her dedication and commitment to her craft.

Ofc. Ashley Bankstahl. Case#: 22-12997.

On 7/2/22 Ofc. Bankstahl was working in the dispatch position as a CTO trainer when her trainee answered a 911 call from a frantic teenager who discovered her mother not breathing with no pulse. Ofc. Bankstahl immediately took over the call to provide medical instructions. Quickly gained the confidence of the caller and was able to give CPR instructions. Ofc. Bankstahl coordinated with her trainee to ensure that medical and police assistance were also on the way. With Ofc. Bankstahl counting chest compressions and providing calm support, the teenager completed multiple rounds of CPR, successfully regaining a pulse in her mother prior to police or fire arrival on scene.

Merit Citations:

Officer Christopher Pedersen and Officer Christian Werner Case# 2212537

On June 26th, 2022, Ofc. Pedersen and Ofc. Werner were dispatched to a home for a suicidal person. The officers found an open garage door and found a subject inside. The subject was crying and there was a noose (hanging from the rafters) above his head. The subject was irate and demanded that the officers leave. After speaking with the subject for several minutes, the subject grabbed an axe and approached the officers in a menacing manner. Ofc. Werner was able to successfully taser the subject, which caused the subject to drop the axe and fall to the ground. Both officers immediately engaged the subject and a fight ensued. After several minutes, Ofc. Pedersen and Ofc. Werner were able to secure the subject and transport the subject for evaluation. Both officers displayed courage and disregarded their own safety to subdue the subject in order to prevent him from harming himself or others.

Officer Cody Short case # 22-1969.

On February 2nd, 2022 Officer Short affected a traffic stop near Plymouth and Telegraph on a vehicle that was traveling at a high rate of speed. He made contact with the driver and learned he did not have a Driver’s License. Officer Short attempted to place the driver in handcuffs when, without warning, the driver pushed away from Officer Short and attempted to escape. Officer Short reacted quickly and took the suspect to the ground. Unknown to Officer Short at that time, he was in a fight with a parolee who had an outstanding felony warrant and was being actively sought by the U.S. Marshals. The fight continued for several minutes, and the suspect managed to break free and run into the parking lot of Detroit Diesel. Although exhausted, Officer Short gave chase and managed to run him down and hold him until back-up arrived. Officer Short’s proactive nature and sheer will to win are directly responsible for the removal of a dangerous felon from the streets.