HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 05.aJuly 16 e l �— ) 2 012 Item No.
Lakeville Police Chief's Award of Merit Presentation to
Leah Mae Mickschl for Life Saving Actions in Near Drowning
Proposed Action
Chief Tom Vonhof will make presentation of the Lakeville Police Chiefs Award of Merit
to Leah Mae Mickschl for her life saving actions in a near drowning incident on June 19,
2012 in Lakeville.
Overview
On June 19, 2012, Officer Troy Hokanson responded to a community pool at 19067
Ireton Way on a report of three year old child, who had drowned. While officers were
en -route to the emergency call, the dispatch center updated the information to the
officers, advising that the child had been removed from the pool and was breathing.
Upon arriving at the scene, Officer Hokanson founds that the three year old victim ,
Cooper Whitfield, was conscious and breathing and being held by his mother, Christie
Whitfield. Allina Paramedics arrived on the scene and transported Cooper to
Children's Hospital in Minneapolis. Cooper has made a full recovery from the incident
In speaking with the witnesses to the incident, Officer Hokanson learned that the Leah
Mickschl, an off duty nurse, was at the pool when Cooper was found under water and
removed from the pool, unconscious and not breathing.
According to witnesses, as soon as Cooper was removed from the water of the pool,
Leah immediately started CPR and rescue breathing until Cooper started breathing on
his own. Officer Hokanson nominated Leah Mae Mickschl for the Lakeville Police
Department's Chief's Award of Merit for her quick response in providing lifesaving
actions in resuscitating this child in this near drowning incident.
Thomas E. Vonhof
Chief of Police
Lakeville Police Department