A Tuscarawas County deputy sheriff and a 911 dispatcher were honored this week after helping save the life of an infant who went into cardiac arrest earlier this spring.
Sheriff Orvis Campbell presented Life Saving Awards and commendations Tuesday, May 5, to 911 Telecommunicator Michelle Colvin and Deputy Sheriff Adam Shaw during a ceremony at the Tuscarawas County Sheriff’s Office.
According to the sheriff’s office, the incident happened at about 1 a.m. April 3 when the Tuscarawas County Sheriff 911 Center received a call about an unresponsive infant at a Lawrence Township apartment.
Authorities said Colvin quickly answered the call and provided CPR instructions to a family member while Shaw was dispatched to the scene. Shaw arrived in 56 seconds, ran into the residence and immediately took over CPR efforts, officials said.
An off-duty Bolivar firefighter, Gabriel Ash, who lived nearby, also responded to assist Shaw.
After several rounds of CPR and the use of an ambu bag to provide oxygen, the infant began breathing independently, according to the sheriff’s office. Personnel from the Bolivar Fire Department stabilized the child before transporting the infant to Aultman Hospital.
Officials said the incident remains under investigation, but credited the actions of Colvin, Shaw and Ash with saving the child’s life.
The life saving awards were issued through the Buckeye State Sheriffs’ Association at the request of Campbell. Family members of Colvin and Shaw attended the ceremony, along with Lawrence Township Trustee Mike Haueter and Tuscarawas County Commissioners Kristen Zemis and Mitch Pace.
Campbell also praised Lawrence Township’s longstanding partnership with the sheriff’s office for additional law enforcement coverage.
“These employees acted heroically that day and the community should be very proud,” Campbell said in a statement. “I am also certain that Lawrence Township’s commitment to paying for additional law enforcement ensured an unbelievably fast response time and helped save this young life.”
