Key West Police Chief Donie Lee presented the Dive Team with a Unit Award for their quick actions that saved a man’s life earlier this month. Sgts. Jeff Williamson and Randy Smith, Officers Michael Malgrat, Jesse Young, Michael Chaustit and Detective Stephen Mitchell, and Officers Jesse Young and Michael Chaustit and Detective Stephen Mitchell were recognized for their response to boaters in distress.

The team was out training on August 17th, when they heard a distress call for a medical emergency. The U.S. Coast Guard was receiving limited information, but the Dive Team quickly located the vessel adrift and pitching in rough seas. Dive Team Leader Randy Smith gave out assignments and he and Officer Michael Malgrat stayed on board the police boat while Sgt. Jeff Williamson, Officers Jesse Young and Michael Chaustit and Detective Stephen Mitchell boarded the distressed boat.

The officers located the victim in a lower cabin. He was not breathing, had no pulse and was showing signs of carbon monoxide poisoning and hypoxia. The officers immediately moved him to a higher deck and administered fresh oxygen. The victim immediately began to regain color and a pulse as well as partial consciousness. He and his companion were safely extricated from the vessel. After he was transported, the victim made a full recovery.

The grateful victim, Ed Waters, his companion Sonya Hefner and Mr. Waters’s tearfully grateful daughter attended the ceremony.