COLUMBUS, OH The lifesaving acts of a state park officer, assistant park manager and park volunteer were recognized recently when the three men were each given lifesaving awards by Ohio State Parks Chief Dan West.
Former East Harbor State Park Officer Tom Lorenz, who now lives in College Corner and works at Hueston Woods State Park, was given the “Lifesaving Commendation Award” for his actions when responding to a report of a suicidal woman in the park in May 2005. Lorenz found a woman in her van in a parking lot and when she didn’t respond to his attempts to wake her, the officer called an ambulance.
Lorenz kept the victim upright and talking until an ambulance arrived. Thanks to Lorenz’s quick thinking the woman was able to get the help she needed before it was too late.
Lake Erie Islands State Park Assistant Manager Steve Riddle of Put-In-Bay and parks volunteer Dale Danheiser, of Erie County, New York, also received “Lifesaving Recognition Awards” for rescuing several individuals in May 2005 who were stranded in growing darkness in high waves on Lake Erie.
Riddle and Danheiser were moving a homeland security watercraft to South Bass Island when they noticed a capsized inflatable dinghy near the entrance to the Put-In-Bay harbor. They further noticed two small children, ages 2 and 4, who were showing signs of hypothermia and three adults clinging to the raft. The men maneuvered to the dinghy and rescued the individuals.
Tom Lorenz, center, receives Ohio State Parks Lifesaving Award from state parks chief Dan West, far right. Parks officials Pat Boryca and Lonnie Snow are at left. Lorenz’ father is to his immediate right.
Pennsylvania resident Dale Danheiser, right, and Lake Erie Island State Park officer Steve Riddle, center, receive the Ohio State Parks Lifesaving Award from state parks chief Dan West, right.