Officers honored for saving lives

By TOM LAVENTURE

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Ironwood - Three members of the Ironwood Public Safety Department were honored on Wednesday for work in the line of duty that led to saving lives in recent months.

IPSD Lt. Michael Rimkus was presented with the department's Meritorious Conduct Award for his role in preventing a possible suicide. Officers Andrew Leiphart and Paul Rickard were presented with the Recognition of Life Saving Award for their role in performing CPR until medical teams arrived on the scene.

"We're trained in police, fire and medical services and we wear a variety of hats and provide many services to the community," said Andrew DiGiorgio, director of Ironwood Public Safety.

All officers in the department trained in CPR and as first responders, he said. In addition the department is halfway toward its goal of certifying all officers as emergency medical technicians (EMT).

"That is just going to enhance the medical service to our community and also it complements Beacon Ambulance Service because they are tasked with providing a medical service and transport for all of Gogebic County and sometimes are out of position and this allows us to serve our citizens better and support them in their difficult task."

Officers Rickard and Leiphart responded to a 911 call on Jan. 29, where they encountered a 73-year-old Ironwood man who had experienced a seizure and was having difficulty breathing. The individual soon went into full cardiac arrest and the two officers performed CPR until paramedics from Beacon Ambulance Service arrived on the scene.

The officers continued CPR until paramedics could administer intravenous drugs that resulted in a heartbeat, according to the award information. The individual was transported to Aspirus Ironwood Hospital and eventually airlifted to another hospital. As of Monday, the individual was reported to be in stable condition and expected to make a full recovery.

"If it was not for the efforts of these two officers, this outcome would not have been achieved," IPSD Lt. Adam Clemens said in the award information.

This is the eighth life-saving effort that Leiphart has been involved with in his 25 year career. This is the first life-saving opportunity for Rickard who is just starting his career.

Lt. Rimkus was honored for his role in finding a positive outcome for a suicidal individual with a loaded handgun. He responded to a report of a possible gunshot in Ironwood on Dec. 30, 2020, which turned out to be a 43-year-old woman testing a handgun and who was "reportedly "despondent and contemplating suicide."

Rimkus was attempting to communicate with the woman while also trying to deal with her husband who was insisting that the officer leave the area, the award information said. The woman's mother was also on the scene and interfering with Rimkus' efforts to handle the situation.

Rimkus remained calm and professional and was able to keep the woman in sight and continued to talk to her, according to the report. He remained focused on the safety and well-being of the woman who eventually put the gun down and was transported for medical treatment and is reportedly doing very well.

"Rimkus exemplified the character, care, compassion and professionalism that defines a public safety officer," Clemens said in the award information. "Without his efforts this incident may have had a significantly different ending."

Rimkus said on Thursday that it may be an old cliche but it really is about doing the training and the job.

"It's in the line of duty, but it's nice to be able to help someone and see your efforts actually produce something good in the community," Rimkus said.

DiGiorgio said that preparing to respond to a mental health crisis is also part of the medical response training. The Community Mental Health Authority is limited in staff and funding and partners with law enforcement to serve as first responders with the goal of positive outcomes, he said.

"They assist us in that process to better task us with the ability to handle those types of situations," DiGiorgio said. "So, it's all in a collaborative effort that we have to work together and move forward to be successful with a team approach."

The recognition of officers is significant in that the recommendations come from their peers and the community, he said. The officers may not make a big deal out of it but it's important to acknowledge that they are "doing the right thing and that their work and training is important," especially in a department where employees are police officers, firefighters and medical responders, which requires people of "great character and compassion for people."

"They may say that it is all part of the job but they have to carry out that job," DiGiorgio said. "It just kind of reassures and shows that the public does support them."

At the Ironwood City Commission meeting on Monday the commissioners also offered praise for the three officers and the department.

Mayor Annette Burchell said that Ironwood residents are grateful for the department and the work they do. These are wonderful examples of service to the community, she said.

"I thank you for your leadership, Andrew, and for encouraging continued education, especially most recently in the EMT arena. These awards are well deserved."