Officer Kerr receives letter of commendation for saving a life
by Peter Jakey–Managing Editor
An officer from the Rogers City Police Department (RCPD) received a commendation at City hall Tuesday morning for saving the life of an elderly resident at The Brook of Rogers City.
Officer Joe Kerr responded after hearing from a dispatcher that a woman was choking and needed assistance.
As with most city calls, officers will respond to assist ambulance crews, and in many instances, get their first.
Kerr was at M-68 and Airport Road when the call came in Jan. 21 at 5:15 p.m., turned on his emergency lights and siren, and made his way to the facility next to Gilpin Memorial Field.
“When I arrived, I was greeted by the staff and was told the woman was starting to turn blue,” said Kerr, recounting the story.
“Staff members tried first aid procedures on the subject, but were not having any success,” said RCPD chief Jamie Meyer.
“When I entered the room, the patient was sitting in a wheelchair and had two staff members stand her up while I gave her the Heimlich maneuver,” said Kerr.
He needed to do it a half-dozen times before a piece of roast beef became dislodged. She was placed in a recovery position where she started breathing again and getting her color back. “And continued to monitor her until EMS could arrive,” added Meyer. “The following day I received a call from the manager of The Brook, Heidi Pilarski, who expressed her appreciation of Kerr’s quick actions.” It’s the third officer during Meyers’ tenure who has receive a letter of commendation.
“With officer Kerr’s 21 years of experience in the U.S. Coast Guard, he has very good training in first aid, CPR, Heimlich maneuver, and he’s been getting to these medical runs as fast as he can and do everything he can to assist — it’s something that has really stood out since he joined us.” He has been on the force since August 2022.
The city, in its framed-letter, credited Kerr with most likely saving the woman
“City Council likewise appreciates the extraordinary actions of officer Kerr, who showed valuable knowledge of lifesaving skills as well as the ability to remain calm, cool and collected in a pressure-packed, life and death situation.”
Kerr received the framed-letter from members of the Rogers City City Council as was suggested at a previous meeting.
“The council is very proud of the actions of officer Kerr and it is reflective of all of our officers,” said mayor Scott McLennan.
“We have a top-notch police force that we are thankful that they serve and protect us.”