Law enforcement group to honor local student
Thursday, December 18, 2008 12:32 PM CST
A Watertown High School student will be honored by the Dodge County law enforcement organization for her heroic efforts at the aquatic center this summer.
Hannah Sterling, the daughter of Jon and Pam Sterling, has been named the Dodge County Executive Law Enforcement Association's Youth of the Year for 2008.
She will be honored at the association's annual award banquet Jan. 16, 2009, at the Beaver Dam Country Club.
The award stems from Sterling's actions on the night of July 11. At 6:20 p.m., Sterling was working as a lifeguard at the Watertown Aquatic Center. It was “Floaty Friday” at the aquatic center which is a special night which patrons are allowed to bring flotation devices into the water. The pool was filled with both children and adults.
Sterling was working in chair No. 3, which is located in the center of the swim area. Sterling observed a small child floating face down just below the surface of the water. The child was floating in the three-foot depth area of the pool. The guard briefly watched the child and noticed no movement or signs of life.
Upon signaling for a rescue, Sterling entered the water and carried the lifeless child to the deck and began an assessment for signs of life.
While other guards dialed 911 for paramedic assistance, Sterling began administering cardio pulmonary resuscitation.
The scene on the deck became chaotic with a hysterical parent nearby and swimmers surrounding the rescue scene, according to nominee Police Chief Tim Roets. Sterling stayed on task administering CPR to the child until a paramedic team arrived on the scene.
The child regained consciousness prior to arrival at Watertown Regional Medical Center.
Through courageous, calm and sound tactics, Sterling was instrumental in saving the life of the 3-year-old child, Roets said in his nomination. Sterling's prompt and alert actions were conducted flawlessly under extremely stressful conditions, he added.
Sterling is a senior at Watertown High School. She has been a member of the Watertown Aquatic Team since she was 7. She has been a member of the varsity swimming team for three years.
Sterling is a certified American Red Cross swim instructor and has been a lifeguard at the aquatic center for two years and worked in concessions at the center for two years.
She is also active with soccer, having been a member of the Watertown Soccer Club since the age of 10 and has played varsity soccer in high school for three years.
She has been on honor roll and high honor roll for six semesters and served one year as boy's basketball manager.
Sterling enjoys snow skiing, running and traveling. She is interested in a career in the health or medical field.
Several other awards will also be presented at the banquet. Former Watertown Police Chief Chuck McGee will receive a retirement award for his years of service.
The Law Enforcement Officer of the Year is Officer Jim Perkins of the Fox Lake Police Department. Perkins was on routine patrol in Fox Lake on March 11 when he was dispatched to a report of a physical altercation. Perkins arrived at the scene and confronted a male subject, later identified as Jeffery Asbury. Perkins attempted to question Asbury but he was uncooperative and would not obey the officer's order to step out of the vehicle. Perkins used a Taser on Asbury before he drove away.
Perkins pursued Asbury on state Highway 68 until the suspect ran into the ditch at which time Perkins took Asbury into custody. Later, Asbury confessed and was convicted of killing his wife in the lobby of the Fox Lake Police Department.
Perkins was nominated for the award by Dodge County Sheriff Todd Nehls.
Correctional Officers of the Year awards will be presented to Sgt. Carl Wiersma and Dan Kughlin of the Fox Lake Correctional Institute and Duane Olbinski of the Dodge County Sheriff's Department.
Julene Beer of the Dodge Correctional Institute will receive the Support Person of Year award and David Jesko of the Fox Lake Correctional Institute will receive the President's Award.
The Dodge County Emergency Response Team, formerly the Dodge County Emergency Radio Team, founded in 1982, will be recognized as Citizen of the Year.
It is a non-profit, volunteer group that serves the citizens and visitors of the county by providing assistance to public safety agencies. DCERT provides traffic control and safety patrol services for emergency incidents and special events such as parades, runs and walks and other community events.
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