Township heroes honored for efforts in helping others

Several law enforcement officers, firefighters, EMTs, and civilians were expected to be honored at the Commerce Township Board of Trustees meeting held yesterday, Tuesday, Aug. 14 after press time.

Oakland County Sheriff’s Department Commerce Township Substation Sergeant Dennis Servis and Deputies Lee Van Camp II, Michael Summers, and John Jacob, who have participated in Shop with a Cop program and have given public presentations on child safety, ID theft, and fraud prevention, were honored for their community involvement with Community Service Citations.

Van Camp and Summers were also given county Sheriff’s Department Special Commendation Awards for their work on a “thorough and professional investigation” in a case where a baby had been killed by its father.

Jacob received a Professional Excellence Citation for his investigative work proving that what was originally thought to be an accidental shooting was in fact a deliberate shooting after a three-week investigation last December.

Deputy Gary Richert also received a Professional Excellence Citation for using “excellent law enforcement techniques” in dealing with a subject armed with a knife and firearm, averting “what very well could have been dire consequences.”

Paramedic Danny Daniels was honored with a Professional Excellence Citation for saving the life of an non-breathing newborn in February by intubating the infant and re-establishing its respiration and a heartbeat.

Deputy Robert Loken was awarded a Citation for Meritorious Service for his willingness to wade through “3 feet deep of swamp in below-freezing weather” to make contact with a person attempting suicide last December.

Firefighters and civilians were presented with Life Saving Awards by the Fire Department for their actions in saving Al Wilkinson’s life on Feb. 24 at the Multi-Lakes Conservation Association.

Wilkinson, 68, had collapsed and went into cardiac arrest. CPR was initiated by bystanders Sam Mullins and William Seery, along with Deputy Sarah McCann.

Responding at the scene from the Fire Department were Marcus Leece, Tony Oryszczak, Larry Gray, Michael Bell, Robert Hollmeyer, and Zack Schwartz.

An on-site defibrillator was used to deliver one shock, which restored Wilkinson’s pulse.

“Multi-Lakes was fortunate to have a (defibrillator) on site,” said Commerce Fire Chief Joe Schornack.

Wilkinson was transported to DMC Huron Valley-Sinai Hospital by Community EMS personnel Allen Clymer and Stephanie Leckvarcik.