Local honored for "heroic" actions

Polson Police Chief Wade Nash recently recognized two local residents for their efforts with a pair of separate vehicle accidents on the same day in the city.

According to Nash, on the afternoon of Aug. 8, Kristyn Siciliani heard sirens in her apartment complex and went outside to see what the commotion was about. She came across an officer performing CPR on an unconscious male.

Siciliani, being a retired nurse, immediately offered her assistance, and began helping the officer with CPR. Together they performed CPR for approximately 8 minutes before the patient began breathing on his own and was transported to the Saint Joseph’s Emergency Room.

“The patient made a full recovery and no doubt Ms. Siciliani’s lifesaving efforts were a contributing factor,” Nash stated. “Her selfless devotion to others reflected great credit upon herself and were keeping with the highest traditions of the Polson Police Department.”

That same day, Michael Schallock was driving through town on U.S. 93 and witnesses a horrific vehicle crash, in which a pickup truck and van were totaled beyond repair. Nash said that Schallock, without hesitation, stopped with other citizens to assist.

“Mr. Schallock cut away the side curtain airbags, got into the truck, and began stabilizing the patient the best he could while the patient was experiencing a grand mal seizure. Mr. Schallock rendered the immediate area of the patient safe the best he could inside the crashed vehicle.” He then continued his assessment of the patient once the seizure was over; stabilizing the head and spine so arriving first responders could remove the patient safely from the crashed vehicle.

“The patient is on the way to recovery due to Mr. Schallock’s quick thinking, professional training, and selfless devotion to this community,” Nash said.

Nash thanked both Siciliani and Schallock and presented each with letters of Recognition for Heroic Citizenship and Polson Police Department Coins “as a small token of appreciation for their service.”

“We work with our community and for our community; as we are part of the community. These recognitions are examples of just how spectacular the great people of Polson are,” Nash stated.