Police officers receive Life Saving Awards

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SIDNEY — Sidney Police Officers Jon Hofmann, Ethan Brown and Chris Burmeister were presented with Life Saving Awards for their “courage and compassion in varying life threatening situations” at Monday evening’s Sidney City Council meeting.

Police Chief Will Balling said he was “very privileged to honor three officers,” as he introduced them and their nominating supervisors while also praising all of the city’s first responders. “Any one of these officers in the room also could do this … firemen or first responders … so, part of this recognition does go for everybody for the rescue services that we have. They are professional, their integrity (and) compassion shines through everyday.”

Officers Brown and Burmeister responded to 316 E. Court St. on June 6, 2016, on the report of a person not breathing. Once on the scene, they realized the female appeared to have overdosed on heroin.; she had no pulse and did not appear to be breathing. At that time, officers did not have access to Narcan, an opiate antidote, so they moved her to the floor and began chest compressions and rescue breaths until the rescue squad arrived. Once Sidney Fire and Rescue arrived, they administered Narcan and the female regained consciousness and made a full recovery.

“Without the quick response and actions the officers, this young lady would not be alive today,” said nominating supervisor Sgt. Jeremy Lorenzo, while introducing Brown and Burmeister.

“Officers Brown and Burmeister displayed our values of professionalism, courage and compassion and provided life saving measures to the individual in need,” said Balling.

Lorenzo told council it was Brown’s “first day in uniform” and that Burmeister is a 20-year veteran.

On Wednesday, May 11, 2016, Hofmann was the first to arrive on the scene on the report of a baby not breathing at 1135 Hilltop Ave. He immediately began CPR and was able to revive the infant until the Sidney Fire Department took over care. It was learned through follow-up investigation by Hofmann and the police department’s special assignment section the child was a victim of child abuse.

Balling said through Hofmann’s actions, he not only saved the infant’s life, but helped to remove its sibling from “a very dangerous situation” and that the children are improving and are now “in the care of another relative.”

Nominating supervisor Sgt. Tony Cunningham held back tears and was noticeably choked-up while explaining Hofmann’s life saving actions on the baby.

“He routinely volunteers for every call that comes across the radio … We’ve been through a lot of good times and a lot of bad times; obviously you don’t call the police during the good times. One of the bad times was on May the 11th … when you hear an infant not breathing on the radio, it’s emotional.” said Cunningham, with his voice quivering at times.

“Officer Hofmann was first responder … he attempted lifesaving measures … Dispatch maintained an open line during the incident … He gave them instructions. He was decisive. And did everything you would want a trained police officer to do … Officer Hoffman did everything that I would hope that I could do if I was in his situation. I’m very proud to know him as a friend … He did everything that would make the city proud.”

“His compassion and dedication to the children was very evident throughout the entire situation,” Balling said of Hofmann.

The child’s grandmother was present and thanked Hofmann, “I owe everything to him for saving my grand-baby. He is awesome. He is an angel. I have sent you emails, and I am just speechless.”

In other business, council adopted an ordinance for Sidney’s new zone map. Since the last map was adopted on July 7, 2014, there have been two re-zonings and one annexation.

Council was also introduced to an ordinance for the amendment of sections of two codified water utility usage ordinances. One section, in regard to the tampering with fire hydrants was modified to include the prohibition of tampering with water valves by anyone other than city personnel. The other section included a modification to the wording, from a minor misdemeanor of the fourth degree to a minor misdemeanor of the fourth degree as punishable under applicable Ohio law.

Council also adopted three resolutions. One is for authorization of the city manager to enter into fire and ambulance service contracts with various townships. The contractual dollar amount reflected a 3 percent increase of the 2016 amounts (except Washington Township.) For Clinton Township: emergency medical services is $24,601; fire protection is $35,122. Orange Township: emergency medical services is $6,988; fire protection is $9,702. Franklin Township: fire protection is $9,243. Washington Township: emergency medical services remains $1 because the serviced area is only a mile long with handful or less of calls per year.

The other resolution was to authorize consent for Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) to provide funded bridge inspection services. In 2014, ODOT launched a program to help municipalities become compliant with the Federal Highway Administration’s bridge metrics. The program for the years 2017-2019 will fully fund all costs for the bridge inspection program; ODOT simply needed permission to proceed with planning and scheduling for the project.

The final adopted resolution was for authorization of the city manager to enter into an agreement with AEP Energy for the city’s low volume electrical accounts.

City Manager Mark Cundiff said due to fluctuating rates, he will continue to monitor the rate and lock it in when it is lower. The city currently pays 5.441 cents/kWh. As of last week, the city was quoted at 5.370 cents/kWh by AEP Energy.

Mayor Mike Barhorst invited council to consider donating to the city’s United Way Campaign since Cundiff has agreed to “kiss a pig” if the city meets the $10,ooo fundraising goal.

“Every dollar raised in Shelby County goes to help somebody in Shelby County. It’s not going to some far off place … so, if kissing a pig is what it takes, I’ll kiss a pig every year.” Cundiff said about the fundraiser.

In addition, council went into an executive session to consider the purchase of property for public purposes, the preparation of negotiations or bargaining sessions with public employees and for the employment of a public official. No action was taken.

Sidney Police Officers Ethan Brown, left to right, and Chris Burmeister were presented with Life Saving Awards by Sgt. Jeremy Lorenzo and Police Chief Will Balling at Monday evening’s Sidney City Council meeting.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/47/2016/10/web1_Brown_Burmeister.jpgSidney Police Officers Ethan Brown, left to right, and Chris Burmeister were presented with Life Saving Awards by Sgt. Jeremy Lorenzo and Police Chief Will Balling at Monday evening’s Sidney City Council meeting. Sheryl Roadcap | Sidney Daily News

Sidney Police Officer Jon Hofmann, left to right, was presented with Life Saving Awards by Sgt. Tony Cunningham and Police Chief Will Balling at Monday evening’s Sidney City Council meeting.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/47/2016/10/web1_Hofmann.jpgSidney Police Officer Jon Hofmann, left to right, was presented with Life Saving Awards by Sgt. Tony Cunningham and Police Chief Will Balling at Monday evening’s Sidney City Council meeting. Sheryl Roadcap | Sidney Daily News

Sidney Police Officers Ethan Brown, left to right, and Chris Burmeister were presented with Life Saving Awards by Sgt. Jeremy Lorenzo and Police Chief Will Balling at Monday evening’s Sidney City Council meeting.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/47/2016/10/web1_Brown-Award.jpgSidney Police Officers Ethan Brown, left to right, and Chris Burmeister were presented with Life Saving Awards by Sgt. Jeremy Lorenzo and Police Chief Will Balling at Monday evening’s Sidney City Council meeting. Sheryl Roadcap | Sidney Daily News

Sidney Police Officer Jon Hofmann, left to right, was presented with Life Saving Awards by Police Chief Will Balling and Sgt. Tony Cunningham at Monday evening’s Sidney City Council meeting.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/47/2016/10/web1_Hofmann-Award.jpgSidney Police Officer Jon Hofmann, left to right, was presented with Life Saving Awards by Police Chief Will Balling and Sgt. Tony Cunningham at Monday evening’s Sidney City Council meeting. Sheryl Roadcap | Sidney Daily News
Trio honored during Sidney Council meeting

By Sheryl Roadcap

[email protected]

Reach the writer at 937-538-4823.

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