McCormick presented with lifesaving medal

Members of the Ritzville Police Department, Adams County Sheriff’s Office, Washington State Patrol, Ritzville City Council and city employees gathered on Dec. 30 to honor Ritzville Police Chief David McCormick for performing lifesaving actions in November 2014.

Sergeant Mark Cameron read the citation concerning the actions taken on Nov. 7, 2014, which resulted in Chief McCormick saving the life of a seven-week-old male child.

As the officer on duty, McCormick responded to the call received by Adams County Dispatch regarding a child who was not breathing. McCormick arrived on scene and after checking the child’s vital signs, confirmed the child was not breathing but had a rapid pulse.

The child took one gasp of air and stopped breathing. Chief McCormick immediately began CPR rescue breathing, but the child only took another gasp for air.

Upon preparing to transport the child to the hospital, emergency medical responders arrived and took over CPR.

“According to the doctor’s that cared for the child, the direct actions of Chief McCormick saved the child’s life,” Cameron read. “Chief McCormick’s quick actions and steadfast professionalism during a critical medical incident reflect greatly upon himself and the police department in Ritzville.”

After pinning the lifesaving medal onto his uniform, Mayor Linda Kadlec thanked McCormick for his service and stated as her years as mayor, she believed compliments should be paid when they are due.

“When there is someone who has done something of this significance, compliments should be acknowledged,” Mayor Kadlec stated. “And Dave, this is our way of acknowledging what you’ve done.”

“You are a true asset to this city, Dave,” Mayor Kadlec concluded.

After receiving the medal and a certificate of the actions taken, McCormick addressed the group of law enforcement officers and community members gathered at the ceremony.

“In all the years that I’ve been in law enforcement, that was truly the hardest case that I’ve ever had to deal with and our department was professional and successful in assisting the Adams County Prosecutor’s Office in prosecution of that case and I think you all know the results of that prosecution,” McCormick said.

“It was definitely, by far, the hardest case that we’ve ever had to handle. And its all in a day’s work, but thank you ever so much.”