3 Ross police officers recognized for lifesaving efforts

Three Ross police officers were recognized for saving lives in August.

Police Chief Cristyn Zett presented commendations to Officers Jason Pokorny, Andrew Notbohm and Christopher Shortley during the township commissioners meeting Sept. 2.

“Our officers serve Ross Township every day and help people in many ways, big and small,” Commissioner Dan DeMarco said. “Sometimes their actions can change the trajectory of an entire family when they save the life of a loved one. In these circumstances, it is appropriate to recognize their cherished service with a lifesaving award to celebrate their impact on our community.”

Pokorny was instrumental in saving the life of a man found choking in his car Aug. 5 in the median of McKnight Road.

According to Zett, Pokorny was the first to arrive in the area of 7370 McKnight Road, near Eat’n Park, in response to a report of an unconscious man in his vehicle in the middle of the road.

The man was unresponsive, the doors to his vehicle were locked and the vehicle was still in drive, Zett said. Pokorny used a sledgehammer from the man’s vehicle to break a side window and unlock the doors.

With firefighters and medics arriving, Pokorny helped to remove the man from his vehicle and place him on the ground.

He is doing well, Zett said.

“Officer Pokorny was instrumental in saving this man’s life,” Zett said. “Pokorny’s ability to function and think outside the box in a chaotic environment led to a successful outcome on this call.”

Notbohm and Shortley each were recognized for their actions responding to a cardiac arrest call the afternoon of Aug. 6 at a home on Fourth Avenue.

Notbohm arrived first, finding a man on the ground and the person who called for help performing CPR. He gave CPR instructions to the caller while setting up an automated external defibrillator, which he used to deliver a shock before taking over CPR.

Shortley arrived and took over CPR from Notbohm, continuing for several minutes while Notbohm assessed the man. They continued CPR for 4½ minutes until medics arrived and took over.

At last report, the man was still recovering in a hospital, Zett said.