Three EPD officers honored for heroism

Three Enterprise Police Officers were among five people honored for saving the lives of an Enterprise man and his four-legged friend during an incident that occurred in August at the Enterprise Recreational Complex.

EPD Detectives Michael Darbro and Mark Anderson and EPD Officer Ken Shiver, were honored at the Enterprise City Council meeting Oct. 3 by Enterprise Police Chief T.D. Jones and Enterprise Mayor William “Bill” Cooper.

Jones presented the trio with the city’s Extra Mile Award, presented to city employees who exceed expectations on their job, and the police Lifesaving Award, issued to officers whoseextraordinary actions saved the life of a person who would have likely died if not for that action.

Jones told those attending the city council meeting that on Aug. 2, EPD received emergency calls reporting that an occupied vehicle had apparently accidentally traveled into the lake at the rec center park.

Jones said that Alvin Velazquez, who had been at the dog park with his dog Zeus, had experienced a medical emergency that caused him to lose control of the vehicle he was driving causing him to veer into the lake.

As police vehicles were being dispatched two non-law enforcement people at the scene jumped into the water to rescue the driver of the vehicle. Jones commended Indiana National Guardsman Rebecca Snavely and Enterprise resident Zachery Meeks for their quick thinking, selfless actions as the first on the scene of the accident. Shiver, Darbro and Anderson were also at the park at the time and jumped in to help.

“With the problem (Velasquez) was having, he could not get out of the vehicle,” Jones said. ‘Officer Shiver radioed it in and was preparing to take his gear off to enter the lake when Darbro and Anderson arrived on the scene.

Darbro and Anderson immediately entered the lake with Meeks and Snavely. Velasquez was rescued from the submerged vehicle and taken to shore by Anderson and Snavely.

“Darbro worked on the window until he finally got it open and Meeks untethered the dog,” Jones said. “The dog took off scared and Snavely was able to get the dog to the bank and hold on to him until it was all over.”

Jones said that Snavely has since returned to Indiana but that her National Guard commander has been notified of her heroic actions. “Her quick action and willingness to help her fellow human being and his canine speaks volumes of her values, “ Jones said. “Her selfless service and personal courage led her to make the conscious decision to risk her life for her fellow man and his animal companion.

“It is these roles that are played in a rescue that reveal the courage of the participant,” Jones said. “The city of Enterprise as well as the police department, thank her for her exemplary actions in this high stress situation.

Meeks was not present at the council meeting but Jones said, “His quick thinking and action saved the life of a citizen of Enterprise in this life or death situation.”

Shiver “had full intentions of putting himself in harm’s way and entering the pond and quickly made the decision to assist the investigators on the shore once the victim was rescued,” Jones said. “Shiver’s quick radio response and willingness to assist another brings great credit upon himself as a member of the EPD. His support and rapid response led to the safe recovery of the victim, the canine and all involved.”

“Within seconds you and Zachary Meeks worked together to free the victim’s canine that was tethered to the seat,” Jones told Darbro. “With the vehicle becoming fully submerged, you reacted quickly by breaking the back glass out in order to have access to the canine.

“During the rescue you persisted until the mission was complete without thought of having injury to your hand by the broken window glass,” Jones said. “The three of you worked together as a team safely returning everyone to shore. You made the decision to risk your life for your fellow man as well as man’s best friend.”

“Mark entered the water and took Velasquez out and took him back to the bank,” Jones said about Anderson.

“After getting him to the bank and fighting your own exhaustion, you returned to fellow officers to help them,” Jones said to Anderson. “The three of you worked together as a team to rescue the dog from the fully submerged vehicle and safely return him to shore.”

Jones said the two non-law enforcement citizens are being presented with certificates of honor and he presented the three law officers with the EPD Life Saving Award and Medal with ribbon. “It is a great honor to award these individuals with the extra mile award and lifesaving award,” Jones said. “I want to say how proud I am of these individuals.

“Everyday police are responding to calls, rushing into danger and they don’t even think twice about going in and helping people they don’t even know,” Jones said. “This is what police officers and first responders do every day in this country.”

“If it wasn’t for them I wouldn't be here, I would be fish food,” Velasquez told those attending the council meeting. “I really thank them from the bottom of my heart for saving my life. Words cannot express how grateful I am.”