Lifesavers

POLSON — Polson Police Officer Jim Atkins and Lake County Sheriff’s Office Sergeant Mike Carlson were awarded the Lifesaving Ribbon Wednesday night at the Polson City Council meeting. Polson Police Chief Wade Nash said the award is presented to officers whose actions go above and beyond the call of duty to save a life.

In July 2011, Sergeant Carlson and officer Atkins responded to a call from a Polson residence where they found a woman unresponsive in her bedroom. Her tongue had fallen into her throat, obstructing her airway, and she was not breathing.

“The officers, without hesitation, began performing CPR on the victim,” Nash said to a full house at Polson City Hall Wednesday. “I am truly honored to be able to recognize these two officers today.”

While it is not uncommon for first responders to use lifesaving skills on the job, it is, Nash said, relatively uncommon for those attempts to succeed in saving a life.

“The medical staff who responded to the scene said if it wasn’t for the efforts of these two officers, the woman would not have survived,” Nash said. “These aren’t the most glamorous things to be involved in, but they showed a lot of courage and saved her life.”

Award recipients go through a review process whereby a committee decides whether the actions of the officers were heroic and deserving of recognition.

“A lot of people don’t realize what these officers do on a daily basis,” Nash said. “It’s an eye-opener when you become involved in law enforcement.”

“Their actions speak volumes and it’s nice to reward them.”