Page 13 - Wayne Dispatch Pages

Two officers awarded life-saving awards

By Sarah Shurge Wayne Police Department for two
On Tuesday, August 19th, at the years and four months. He also
City of Wayne’s Council meeting, Of- wanted to be a police officer since he
ficer Herrera and Officer Kanan were was a kid.
awarded a life-saving award. “My favorite part is being there for
A life-saving award is awarded to people during their most critical
a law enforcement officer whose con- times in need — this was one of
duct results in saving the life of an- those situations. Being there for the
other person. kids is one of the cool parts of my
“I am grateful for the heroic ac- job. Making people’s day, especially
tions of Officers Herrera and Kanan,” if they're having a rough day. Making
said Wayne Police Chief Ryan Strong. a difference,” said Officer Kanan.
“Their training, quick thinking, and Being awarded the life-saving
actions saved two lives.” award was a rewarding feeling for Of-
On June 16th, 2024, Officer Her- ficer Kanan. “I was glad all my train-
rera was dispatched to a home on ing actually went into effect. You do
Winifred Street at 4:30 a.m. for a mock practices, so then anxieties
baby choking. Upon arrival, Officer kick in when you realize this is the
Herrera observed the child (less than real deal. My instincts kicked in and
one year old) to be not breathing. it was a real rewarding situation,”
Officer Herrera is trained in first said Officer Kanan.
aid and CPR through the American Congratulations to Officer Her-
Red Cross, so she lowered the child rera and Officer Kanan for their well-
face down, gave her some blows to deserved recognition!
the back, and the child began breath- After being dispatched to a home for a baby choking Officer Herrera observed the “Too often we only hear about neg-
ing again. child (less than one year old) to be not breathing and is credited on saving her life. ative actions of police officers. The
“She literally saved this very
young Wayne resident’s life as part of
her duties,” said Chief Strong.
Officer Herrera has been with the
Wayne Police Department for three
years in November. Being a police of-
ficer was the first thing Officer Her-
rera wanted to be as a little kid.
“One of my favorite things about
my job is saying hi to kids and how
kids are super excited to see us,”
said Officer Herrera. “I also like
when people vent to us — like in a
domestic violence situation. A lot of
people don’t have anyone to talk to,
so just letting them talk.”
Officer Herrera was a bit shocked
when she was awarded the life-sav-
ing award. “We do stuff every day. To
me, it’s just part of the job. But it felt
really nice. Mostly I was happy to see
that baby,” said Officer Herrera.
Both families that received life-
saving support were present at the
council meeting. “It was so awesome
to see Officers Herrera and Kanan re- Officer Kanan was dispatched to a home with an unconscious woman with no pulse, after administering CPR, the woman began
united with the two people they
saved and their families at the city breathing again, Officer Kanan was recognized for saving her life.
council meeting,” said Chief Strong. After administering CPR, the tors don’t know what caused her to actions of these two officers are em-
On September 18th, 2024, Offi- woman began breathing again. She go into cardiac arrest since she is blematic of what police officers do
cer Kanan was dispatched to Ed- was later transported to the hospital young and healthy. every day,” said Chief Strong.
mund Street for an unconscious where they learned that she had “I can confidently say law enforce- For more information about the
woman with no pulse. gone into cardiac arrest. ment is the best job in the world. You Wayne Police Department, visit city-
Upon arrival, Officer Kanan After the incident, Officer Kanan can come into work one day and ofwayne.com/159/Police or you can
began doing CPR on the woman. Of- called her to check and see how she save a life, as Officer Kanan did,” find them on Facebook by searching
ficer Kanan is also trained in first aid was doing. He was informed that she said Chief Strong. “City of Wayne, Michigan Police De-
and CPR. was put on a pacemaker and the doc- Officer Kanan has been with the partment.”
The Wayne Dispatch · October 2025 · 13