FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 23, 2016
Contact: Sandi Poreda, APR
sandi@bulldogstrategygroup.com / 850.766.1906
Pinecrest Police Department Contact: Chief Samuel Ceballos, Jr.
ceballos@pinecrest-fl.gov / 305.234.2109
FLORIDA POLICE CHIEFS RECOGNIZE PINECREST OFFICER FOR LIFESAVING EVENT
PINECREST, FL – The Florida Police Chiefs Association (FPCA) today announced the final recipient of the 2016 FPCA Lifesaving Award. Sergeant Sigfredo Badillo from the Pinecrest Police Department was honored with the award today for an exceptional lifesaving act which occurred earlier this year.
“As our nation struggles with the relationships between communities and police officers, we are extremely proud to honor these fine officers for not only saving a life, but for setting a good example in their community of what it means to protect and serve,” said Coconut Creek Police Chief Butch Arenal, President of the FPCA. “It is critical for us to recognize the good in this profession and honor those who work hard to keep our residents and guests safe throughout the state of Florida.”
In April, Sergeant Badillo was notified that a young man had been driving a scooter when he was rear-ended by a hit and run driver and left for dead. Sergeant Badillo found the victim on the ground with a large amount of blood coming from his head; he was not breathing and he did not have a pulse. With the help of two Marines who stopped to assist, Sergeant Badillo immediately began CPR and used an AED until the victim began breathing on his own. The victim was then treated by Miami-Dade Fire Rescue and airlifted to Kendall Regional Hospital. Sergeant Badillo’s quick response and immediate emergency first aid saved this young man’s life.
When Pinecrest Police Department Chief Samuel Ceballos, Jr. nominated Sergeant Badillo for this award, he referenced the following quote from Winston Churchill because he felt applied directly to Sergeant Badillo: “To each there comes in their lifetime a special moment when they are figuratively tapped on the shoulder and offered the chance to do a very special thing, unique to them and fitted to their talents. What a tragedy if that moment finds them unprepared or unqualified for that which could have been their finest hour.”
“Sergeant Badillo has shown on numerous occasions that he is always ready for those moments when he is tapped on the shoulder and called to action,” said Chief Ceballos.
The Lifesaving Award, sponsored by the Harris Foundation, recognizes law enforcement officers who put their lives on the line to serve and protect their communities. The FPCA accepts nominations from member agencies online at: https://fpca.com/lifesaving-award/. The award nomination and selection process occurs twice annually.
# # #