Print
E-mail
Comment
Rate
Get RSS FeedReturning the favor: Girl honors Whitehall officers who saved her
By KEVIN CORVO
Text Size 
Click image to enlarge
|
Five Whitehall police officers last week earned certificates and medallions for saving the life of a girl who nearly drowned -- but the girl's smile was the best gift they could have received.
"The award I feel in my heart is getting to see your smile," Whitehall Sgt. Randy Snider said to 10-year-old Brianna Davis, who presented Snider and four other officers with certificates and medallions recognizing their heroic efforts of Aug. 24.
Brianna, her parents and the five officers were among those who gathered Sept. 22 at the Whitehall Division of Police for the recognition ceremony.
Other than Snider, who had briefly visited Brianna at Nationwide Children's Hospital the day of the incident, none of the other officers had since seen the girl or met her parents.
"The award I feel in my heart is getting to see your smile," Whitehall Sgt. Randy Snider said to 10-year-old Brianna Davis, who presented Snider and four other officers with certificates and medallions recognizing their heroic efforts of Aug. 24.
Brianna, her parents and the five officers were among those who gathered Sept. 22 at the Whitehall Division of Police for the recognition ceremony.
Other than Snider, who had briefly visited Brianna at Nationwide Children's Hospital the day of the incident, none of the other officers had since seen the girl or met her parents.
"Each of these officers will tell you it was all in a day's work, but we couldn't be more proud to present these awards," Whitehall Police Chief Richard Zitzke said. "The quick and decisive action of these officers saved her life."
On Aug. 24, Brianna was swimming at a pool at the Shaker Square Apartments when she nearly drowned in the deep end.
The pool does not employ a lifeguard, but a pool monitor who observes the area for trespassers pulled Brianna from the pool.
Brianna was visiting her mother's niece, who lives in the apartment complex, and was at the pool with her two younger sisters.
Police received the emergency call at 3:48 p.m. Aug. 24.
Lt. Mark Newcomb and officers Jerry Dillon and Dave Nicol were the first to arrive, followed by Officer Jeffrey Goble, who had an automatic electronic defibrillator in the trunk of his cruiser.
Not every cruiser is equipped with an AED, but at least one cruiser on the street each shift always carries one, Zitzke said.
Together, the officers used the defibrillator and performed CPR. Brianna had no pulse and was not breathing when police arrived.
"I was at home when my niece called to tell me ... I called my husband and we both went to (the hospital)," said Tina Harris, Brianna's mother.
"I don't remember going to the hospital," Brianna said, "but after I was there, they said (I had been) dead for about 10 minutes."
She made a rapid and full recovery.
Afterward, Brianna told her parents, Jessie and Tina Harris, that she wanted to meet the officers who saved her life, and the Sept. 22 reunion was arranged.
Brianna, who attends Maize Elementary School in Columbus, presented each of the four officers who attended with certificates and medallions.
"It's an amazing feeling meeting the people who saved my life," said Brianna, who gave each of the officers a hug after presenting the awards.
Brianna discovered she and Snider share an interest in country music, and the two discussed the virtues of Taylor Swift.
Brianna's parents also thanked the officers.
"It means the world to me, what they did for my daughter," Jessie Harris said. "She's my miracle."
"It's an amazing feeling meeting the people who saved my life."
--Brianna Davis
On Aug. 24, Brianna was swimming at a pool at the Shaker Square Apartments when she nearly drowned in the deep end.
The pool does not employ a lifeguard, but a pool monitor who observes the area for trespassers pulled Brianna from the pool.
Brianna was visiting her mother's niece, who lives in the apartment complex, and was at the pool with her two younger sisters.
Police received the emergency call at 3:48 p.m. Aug. 24.
Lt. Mark Newcomb and officers Jerry Dillon and Dave Nicol were the first to arrive, followed by Officer Jeffrey Goble, who had an automatic electronic defibrillator in the trunk of his cruiser.
Not every cruiser is equipped with an AED, but at least one cruiser on the street each shift always carries one, Zitzke said.
Together, the officers used the defibrillator and performed CPR. Brianna had no pulse and was not breathing when police arrived.
"I was at home when my niece called to tell me ... I called my husband and we both went to (the hospital)," said Tina Harris, Brianna's mother.
"I don't remember going to the hospital," Brianna said, "but after I was there, they said (I had been) dead for about 10 minutes."
She made a rapid and full recovery.
Afterward, Brianna told her parents, Jessie and Tina Harris, that she wanted to meet the officers who saved her life, and the Sept. 22 reunion was arranged.
Brianna, who attends Maize Elementary School in Columbus, presented each of the four officers who attended with certificates and medallions.
"It's an amazing feeling meeting the people who saved my life," said Brianna, who gave each of the officers a hug after presenting the awards.
Brianna discovered she and Snider share an interest in country music, and the two discussed the virtues of Taylor Swift.
Brianna's parents also thanked the officers.
"It means the world to me, what they did for my daughter," Jessie Harris said. "She's my miracle."
"It's an amazing feeling meeting the people who saved my life."
--Brianna Davis
 |
 |
|
| Westerville finance director moving on after 30-year career | Fido Fest's special guests will benefit from Sunday's fun |
Article Rating
Video Comments
Reader Comments
The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of Suburban News Publications.
Submit a Comment
We encourage your feedback and dialog, all comments will be reviewed by our Web staff before appearing on the Web site.
More News Headlines
- Bexley's National Merit students on road to success
- Park of Roses among country's top public rose gardens
- Men admit involvement in as many as 100 burglaries
- Sunbury seeks grant to clean up Nestle site
- New bridge adds latest link in Ohio-to-Erie Trail
- Federal money headed to local schools
- Lhota to help groom COTA successor
- Delaware struggling with overcrowded schools
- Delaware police scanners will search for warrants, stolen cars
- Jones tops four competitors for Delaware council seat
- Family Center service strikes chord for Cardinal workers
- The Spa at River Ridge moves to new, expanded location
- Gahanna: Buyout offers could save at least $1.3 million
- Goodwill opens two new donation centers
- Program offers rewards to pry guns out of criminals' hands
- Twenty-three 'nonagenarians' celebrate birthdays together
- Hilliard scraping for $660,000 in TIF payments
- Hilliard teachers agree to pay freeze
- Two more to join Hilliard Senior Hall of Fame
- Warner: Legal battle lost, cell tower coming to Ridgewood
- Columbus library levy campaign to focus on 'excellence'
- Journalist remembered for mentoring young reporters
- 'Market Street Commons' planned for New Albany core
- Outdoor lessons keep growing at K-1's Nature Park
- More new asphalt will roll out on North Side
- More streets added to city's resurfacing list
- Organizers want Northland ankles in action on 'Walk to the Y' Oct. 2
- Developer: Powell parking 'deplorable'
- Brighter outlook spurs scleroderma survivor to host walk
- How much will levy cost? Check on auditor's website
- Return to: News « | Top of Page ^
