MISSION, Ore.-Two Umatilla Tribal Police Department (UTPD) Officers were recently commended for their lifesaving efforts during two incidents in September.
Officer Ryan Bernards saved an infant while on patrol in the Teepee Village during the Pendleton Round-Up on September 13, and Officer Paul Heimbach helped resuscitate a man after a car crash, according to the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR).
Officer Bernards was on patrol in the Teepee Village when a group of children approached and reported that an infant was choking.
The children led Officer Bernards to the infant, where he dislodged the object that the infant was choking on from its throat and then remained with the child until medical personnel arrived and they were transported to CHI St. Anthony Hospital in Pendleton.
“This is a great example of the work police officers do daily and shows the dedication and competency of Officer Bernards to the service and safety of the public,” the UTPD commendation states.
Officer Bernards, who was with the La Grande Police Department for 10 years before joining UTPD on August 18, was impressed with the actions of the children who came and found him when the infant was choking.
“They provided only the needed information and led me to the infant,” Officer Bernards said of the children in the Teepee Village. “Once it was obvious the child was receiving oxygen, I gave the child back to the mother and we monitored the child until the paramedics arrived.”
UTPD Officer Paul Heimbach received a commendation for his actions while assisting Oregon State Police (OSP) on the scene of a single-car crash near milepost 224 on I-84 on September 21.
When Officer Heimbach arrived on the scene, he found the driver unresponsive, removed him from the car and performed CPR while waiting for OSP and an ambulance.
“My thoughts on helping the driver were that I would do everything I could to help the man until either more help arrived, or I was physically unable to continue,” Officer Heimbach said of his actions.
When paramedics arrived, Officer Heimbach then helped with the landing of a LifeFlight Network helicopter so the man could be transported to a nearby hospital.
“The public depends on police and fire to come to their aid in their time of need,” said Officer Heimbach. “To give up prematurely or not give every available ounce of effort would be letting down the public, and that was not an option.”
