Sheriff Tom Knight recognizes officers who rescued victims in three incidents
Sarasota County Sheriff Tom Knight presented several awards during an Oct. 28 ceremony, recognizing “employees who have demonstrated exemplary service to the community,” the Sheriff’s Office has announced.
“Deputies Adam Maio and Dustin Bell received the Life Saving Award for successfully intervening in a man’s attempt to commit suicide,” a news release says. Maio and Bell responded to a call from the victim’s girlfriend, who reported that he had made suicidal statements, the release notes. When they arrived, and no one answered the front door, the release continues, they entered the home through a rear door. Maio and Bell “searched room by room and finally found the victim in the last bedroom’s closet,” the release adds; the victim had tried to hang himself. They swiftly brought the unconscious man to the ground, the release notes. Then, as Maio and Bell removed the victim’s restraint, the man appeared to begin breathing, but he also went into a seizure for a few seconds, the release says. Shortly afterward, he regained full consciousness and was taken by EMS to the hospital, the release adds.
“Deputies Maio and Bell are credited with giving the man a second chance at life,” the release notes. Bell was recognized at a ceremony in July, so Maio was presented his award on Oct. 28, the release says.
Deputies Mike De Leo and Shaun Martin received the Life Saving Award for helping save a 21-year-old man who had overdosed, the release continues. When Martin arrived on the scene, the man was unresponsive, not breathing and had no pulse, the release says. “Martin immediately deployed his agency-issued naloxone auto-injector and tried a sternum rub to wake the patient,” the release adds. De Leo then arrived and also deployed naloxone, resulting in the man’s regaining consciousness, the release continues. “EMS personnel responded and continued life-saving efforts, eventually transporting the patient to Sarasota Memorial Hospital,” the release adds. Deputies later learned that the victim had taken Xanax, oxycodone and heroin, the release says. Medical personnel confirmed that the actions Martin and De Leo took “undoubtedly saved the man’s life,” the release points out.
Deputies Robbie Martin, Esterlin Perozo and Joseph Scibelli received the Life Saving Award for their efforts in bringing a man back to life after he overdosed on heroin, the release continues. Martin was first to arrive on the scene, where he discovered the man lying lifeless on the garage floor, the release says. Martin immediately deployed his agency-issued naloxone, it adds. Perozo then arrived and began chest compressions while Martin deployed a second dose of naloxone, the release notes. Scibelli also responded and assisted with rescue breathing for close to five minutes until a Sarasota County Fire Department team arrived, the release adds. Just as paramedics entered the home, the man regained consciousness and was transported to Doctors Hospital, the release says. “Thanks to the quick action of deputies Martin, Perozo and Scibelli, the man was given a second chance at life,” it adds.
“I am remarkably proud of each of these deputies and they should know that their actions don’t go unnoticed,” said Knight in the release. “Keeping in line with our values and commitment to public safety, these men embody exactly what it means to serve with the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office.”