PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Governor Donald L. Carcieri and Secretary of State A. Ralph Mollis honored three police officers, a firefighter and two civilians from Burrillville, East Greenwich, Narragansett and Providence with the state’s highest award for rescuing people from death.
“I often visit schools to speak with students about the importance of public service. I emphasize that there are many ways to contribute to your community. Here are concrete examples of how one person can make a dramatic difference,” said Mollis.
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The State Lifesaving Medal was created under state law to recognize the heroism of firefighters, police officers and civilians who save human life in Rhode Island. The awards are given annually.
“Today, we honor six Rhode Islanders whose selfless actions saved lives. While four of our heroes are first responders, trained to save lives and to put their lives on the line each and every day, the actions of these individuals deserve special recognition, and deserve our deepest appreciation, admiration, and respect. On duty or off duty, these four men exhibit strong devotion to assisting those in need. They have set a positive example for citizens of all ages to follow,” said Governor Donald L. Carcieri. “The act of helping someone in need, putting fears aside to save another’s life, is not a quality that is limited to first responders. Average citizens, like the two we are recognizing today, are heroes too.”
While off-duty, Leahey was eating lunch at a Warwick restaurant when another patron suffered a seizure. Leahey opened the victim’s airway, and kept him stable until the EMTs arrived.
East Greenwich Police Officer Sgt. Stanley Cirella and East Greenwich residents Eric Larrat and Michael Fain smothered flames as they began to engulf a man who police say attempted suicide. They attended to the victim until EMTs arrived.
Narragansett Fire Capt. David Laudati was off-duty at a South Kingstown health club when a 46-year-old-man collapsed in cardiac arrest. Laudati performed CPR on the victim and kept him stable until EMTs arrived.
During a routine patrol of his area, Providence Police Officer Chris Poncia detected a heavy odor of smoke on a side street off Manton Avenue. Upon his arrival at 384 Manton Ave. Poncia was told that there were children in the house. Poncia fought his way through dense smoke and pulled a teenage brother and sister from the second floor to safety.
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