Slippery Rock police officer receives life saving award
In April, Slippery Rock Borough police officer Josh Drake was dispatched to a call that ended with him saving a life.
On Tuesday, May 6, he was the recipient of an award to recognize, in Slippery Rock fire Chief Ryan Hanchosky’s words, his “exceptional composure, training, and quick decision-making under pressure,” during the events of that evening.
At Tuesday’s borough council meeting, Hanchosky, alongside police Chief Terry Fedokovitz and Assistant Fire Chief Kurt Reasner, presented Drake with an award and delivered a speech recapping Drake’s actions.
On April 7, Drake was dispatched to an emergency medical call involving a female suffering from a severe laceration to her wrist, resulting in uncontrolled bleeding. He was the first to arrive on the scene.
At the scene, Hanchosky said, Drake recognized the life-threatening nature of the injury and applied a tourniquet to control the bleeding, which stabilized the patient until paramedics arrived.
“Officer Drake's decisive actions directly contributed to a positive outcome and most assuredly saved the woman's life,” Hanchosky said. “His dedication to duty, calm under pressure and lifesaving intervention exemplify the highest standards of law enforcement service.”
Drake said he is grateful and honored to receive the award, but called his actions on that night jsut part of the efforts to save the woman’s life. He also recognized efforts by Slippery Rock EMS and another person on the scene.
“There was a lady there, I didn’t get her name, but she was applying pressure to the woman’s wrist,” Drake said. “She did just as much, if not more, to save her life. I wish we could recognize her, too.”
Drake said he was appreciative of the recognition.
“There’s a lot of cops out there who don’t get recognition for actions like this,” Drake said. “I’m glad to be working for a department that recognizes its officers.”
