Sheriff Demings to Award Deputies, Students

WHAT:      Awards Ceremony

WHEN: TODAY – Tuesday June 8, 2010 — 2:00 PM

WHERE: Orange County Sheriff’s Office, Central Complex  —  2500 West Colonial Drive,  Orlando  — Training Room 1 (Please enter in the main lobby and someone from Media Relations will meet you and escort you back to the training room)

WHO:    Corporal Terry Martinec and Deputy Waleed Albakri will be presented with the Medal of Merit for their life-saving efforts on December 5, 2009. On that day they responded to the area of Resort Drive regarding a car that had plunged into a retention pond.

ETC: Without hesitation the deputies entered the water and began searching for three occupants of the car who were believed to be still inside, two of whom were children.  Rescue efforts were difficult as the car was upside down after going over a retaining wall and falling more than ten feet then plunging into the water.  The water was murky and cold with a temperature of 66 degrees.  The deputies were able to extract the children from the car and each one beginning CPR until relieved by Orange County Fire Rescue.   Sadly after several days the children did not survive this tragic accident; however the actions of these deputies gave the family a few precious moments with their loved ones.  Their efforts on that day make them deserving of this distinguished award.

ALSO: Sheriff Jerry Demings will present seven students with a $1,000 scholarship each from proceeds received from the first Preventing Crime in the Community Golf Tournament held last month.  The purpose of the scholarship program is to reach out to our youth, make a difference in their lives, and recognize the importance of a good education.