Two local Delphi officers were awarded with the Delphi Police Department Life Saving Award for their efforts and successful attempt to save a man’s life on June 30.
On June 30, just before 4:30 p.m., Delphi Police Officer Clint McLeland was reportedly dispatched to the Community Corrections building to meet with Corrections Officer Callie Schimmel as she sought to conduct a welfare check on a male who was on her list.
Schimmel reportedly explained that the man sounded disoriented, causing her concern about his well-being. The officers departed to the man’s residence where they attempted to make contact, and the pair heard a voice coming from inside.
Attempts to call the man were reportedly made, and the man answered, stating that he was injured. The pair attempted to open the door, but the door appeared barricaded closed. McLeland reportedly pushed to door open to see the man on the floor of the apartment surrounded by a pool of blood. McLeland forced his way into the apartment, making contact with the man who reportedly had severe self-inflicted wounds. He reportedly retreated to his patrol car where he gathered first aid materials before returning to the apartment.
McLeland utilized the materials to provide life-saving measures, such as utilizing a tourniquet to slow the bleeding while the man fought against the efforts, police report. McLeland was reportedly able to apply the tourniquet and maintain the man until EMS arrived.
The man survived the incident.
“The subject is still alive today thanks to Officer McLeland and Officer Schimmel,” Sgt. Colin Deckard said. “There is no doubt that if it were not for Officer Schimmel’s quick reaction to note something was wrong and contacting law enforcement to Officer McLeland’s quick action, utilizing his training, that this individual would have died.”
Deckard continued to state that reviewing the footage of the incident revealed the stress of the situation that the two officers overcame.
“I personally watched the bodycam footage from this incident,” Deckard said. “It was stressful to watch, so I can only imagine how these two felt at the time. It is a true honor to have individuals such as these working in our community.”
For their efforts on June 30, both officers were presented with the Delphi Police Department Life Saving Award.
– Photo courtesy of DPD