Three deputies with the Berrien County Sheriff’s Department have been honored with Lifesaving Awards for their quick action to save lives.
Speaking to the Berrien County Board of Commissioners Thursday, Berrien County Undersheriff Greg Sanders said Deputy Brian Root on January 1 responded to a fire in Niles and found several people had evacuated the two-story building. However, a young girl was still inside.
“The child on the second floor is hesitant about making her way out the window and down the ladder,” Sanders said. “Without hesitation, Deputy Root climbs the ladder, is able to grab the child, throw her over his shoulder and get her out of the house.”
Sanders said the girl could have died had Deputy Root not taken brave action.
A Lifesaving Award was also given to Deputy Dominic Forestieri. On March 22, he witnessed a crash in Niles. A woman jumped out of the vehicle with a toddler and screamed, “My baby isn’t breathing.” He performed CPR, revived the child, and got the child to a hospital where it could get more advanced medical help.
Finally, a Lifesaving Award was given to Deputy Matt Grimm, who on July 26 talked a suicidal man down from a roof while helping to protect a woman and a 1-year-old.
Berrien County Sheriff Chuck Heit says he’s “proud of their actions and grateful for the ability to recognize the deputies for their great work at the commission meeting.”
