Life Saving Incident
February 24, 2020
Florida
Columbia County
Lake City
On Wednesday, July 1, in a ceremony attended by family, friends and Sheriff’s Office personnel, Sheriff Mark Hunter awarded Deputy Anthony Cortese the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office Lifesaving Medal for his actions on February 24, 2020. Deputy Cortese was working as a School Resource Deputy at Lake City Middle School that February day when an emergency call came over the school’s radio that a maintenance worker had fallen from a ladder. Deputy Cortese rushed to the area and saw several people around the maintenance worker, Jim Osburn, who was laying on the ground in distress. Mr. Osburn was not breathing and had no pulse so Deputy Cortese began administering CPR. The school nurse joined him in this life saving procedure by giving rescue breaths and using an AED. After the AED and CPR, Mr. Osburn regained a pulse. Deputy Cortese and the nurse were relieved by emergency medical personnel that flew Mr. Osburn to Gainesville where he eventually recovered. Medical personnel agreed that the life saving methods used at the school greatly contributed to the survival of Mr. Osburn. “I’m so happy Mr. Osburn is with us today” Sheriff Mark Hunter said, “His life is a testament to what good training and quick action can produce in emergencies of this nature.”
The history of law enforcement in the United States is a long and wonderful history of bravery. This website is dedicated to documenting the heroic deeds of law enforcement officers throughout the United States who have either given or risked their lives to save others. There are many stories of bravery and heroism for many who are considered first responders. However, it is those in law enforcement who are most likely to be the first to arrive upon a location requiring life saving acts engaging dangerous hostage takers, running into burning buildings/vehicles, providing first aid to seriously injured victims, saving near drowning victims and much more are what the women and men of law enforcement do routinely and at many times, great peril to their own safety.
It is our mission to document the history of lives saved by those dedicated women and men in law enforcement. To share with others the dramatic deeds of those individuals who are the first, first responders. It is so important for our citizens to understand that law "enforcement" is not always about enforcing the law but rather being there when our citizens need us.
It is to this end we are dedicated to promoting documentation regarding the history of law enforcement and the lives they have saved.
