SVPD officer receives Lifesaving Award

Moving Forward

When Sierra Vista Police Department Officer Richard Benjamin asked Linda Gordon how she was feeling on Wednesday, Gordon said her chest still hurts a little. That’s understandable considering the circumstances of the recent visit to her home outside of Sierra Vista. Joined by SVPD Chief Adam Thrasher, Benjamin was there to check on Gordon and share the award he had just received for his role in saving her life nearly two months ago.

On July 22, Linda Gordon suffered a sudden cardiac arrest while shopping at Walgreens in Sierra Vista. Now that she is feeling well enough, Linda and her family recently reached out to personally thank all the responders who helped save her life.

The response began as soon as the 9-1-1 call came in on July 22, with a Southeastern Arizona Communications (SEACOM 911) dispatcher directing a bystander to begin CPR. Then, in less than two minutes, Benjamin (who happened to be nearby) arrived on scene, assessed Gordon’s condition, and took over chest compressions. Once an AED was at hand, Benjamin delivered a shock and continued compressions.

A Sierra Vista Fire & Medical Services crew soon arrived on scene and transported Gordon to Canyon Vista Medical Center. Gordon had been revived at this point and was able to speak with the crew in the back of the ambulance.

Officer Benjamin received a Lifesaving Award from SVPD today for his fast actions that the ER physician said were vital to saving Gordon’s life. Gordon was able to thank Benjamin personally today at her home, after visiting the SVF&MS crew earlier this week.

The SVF&MS crew is formed of Firefighter/Paramedic Daniel Dotson, Firefighter/Paramedic Ryan Dannels, Firefighter/EMT Jennifer Fleming, Captain/Paramedic Adam Saathoff, and Firefighter/EMT Carlos Moreno.

Everyone involved appreciates Gordon’s kindness in sharing her gratitude with them. It’s wonderful to see her feeling better and continuing to recover.

City News

Strap in for national Child Passenger Safety Week

The Sierra Vista Police Department will tighten enforcement efforts as it joins forces with Sierra Vista Fire & Medical Services to support national Child Passenger Safety Week from Sunday, Sept. 18, through Saturday, Sept. 24.

Police officers will exercise zero tolerance of child restraint and seat belt violations, including seat belt violations by adults, during Child Passenger Safety Week. Officers will focus on enhanced enforcement of the following laws:

• A person shall not operate a motor vehicle when transporting a child who is under the age of 5 or under the age of 8 and is also less than 4 feet 9 inches in height unless that child is properly secured in a child restraint system.

• Any passenger who is younger than 16 years old must have their lap and shoulder belt properly fastened while the vehicle is in motion.

• Anyone in the front seats of a motor vehicle must have the lap and shoulder belt properly fastened while the vehicle is in motion.

“Car crashes are a leading cause of death for young children and many of these deaths can be prevented through proper use of child safety seats, boosters, and seat belts,” SVPD Sgt. Tim Wachtel says.

On average, two children under 13 years old were killed and about 278 were injured each day in 2020 while riding in cars, SUVs, pickups, and vans, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Of the 604 child passengers who died in traffic collisions in 2020, 38% were unrestrained.

On Thursday, Sept. 22, SVPD and SVF&MS will host a booth at the Sierra Vista Farmers Market from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Veterans Memorial Park to share information about child passenger safety. SVF&MS will be taking signups for its next free child car safety seat class.

“Nearly half of all car seats for children are used or installed incorrectly and we’re here to help parents do better,” says SVF&MS Captain Michael Quarto, the department’s child car seat safety program coordinator.

Child car seats and boosters are one of the easiest ways to keep your child safe and, when installed correctly, car seats can reduce the risk of fatal injury in a crash by 71% for infants and by 54% for toddlers, according to the NHTSA.

The state’s Child Passenger Safety Week campaign is conducted by the Arizona Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, in conjunction with the national campaign sponsored by the NHTSA.

Schedule a free child safety seat check

Sierra Vista Fire & Medical Services offers free child passenger seat checks pending completion of a hands-on class. Appointments must be made in advance by calling Fire Station 3 at (520) 417-4400 or using the online form so a technician can be scheduled. Participants who complete the class may also be eligible for a free car seat.

Since 2008, Sierra Vista Fire & Medical Services has provided more than 1200 child car safety seats and performed more than 1,700 car seat safety checks. This program is made possible by a grant from the Tucson Medical Center Foundation, which is part of the Children’s Miracle Network.

Extraordinary Activities

Each year teams fielded by local law enforcement agencies, businesses, and community members tackle an extraordinary challenge to help the Sierra Vista Police Department raise money for the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Arizona. The 16th Annual Bearcat for Special Olympics is set for Sunday, Oct. 23, from 9 to 11 a.m. in Veterans Memorial Park.

At the event, teams will compete in four categories by pulling the Sierra Vista Police Department’s 17,500 pound LENCO Bearcat 25 feet as fast as they can!

Registration fees are $175 or $200 depending on the team’s category. Teams are encouraged to raise funds to support the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Arizona.

Uncommon Recreation

Do you like science you can play with? Join us for Sensory Science Fun on Tuesday, Sept. 20!

We will provide all the supplies needed to complete a few balloon science experiments. This free event is for children ages 5 to 10.Pre-registration is required.

Register online or in-person at the Oscar Yrun Community Center. Participants can drop in between 5:30 and 5:30 p.m. at the Art Studio located inside the Oscar Yrun Community Center.

Social Snapshot

Our amazing Parks Maintenance crew just finished installing these new barn quilts along the sixth street fence at the Fry Pioneer Cemetery! The quilts are part of the Hummingbird Stitchers Sierra Vista Barn Quilt Trail and represent the heritage of the diverse people buried in the cemetery. Learn more.

City Announcements

Be sure to stop by Oktoberfest in Veterans Memorial Park this weekend! The fun runs from 5 to 11 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday.

Recent Business Licenses

Desert Kickz and Heat — 2200 El Mercado Lp #1118
Southern Arizona Legal Document Preparation LLC (home-based)

Upcoming Meetings

The City Council work session and meeting next week have been cancelled.

Watch Council Meetings

Head to our YouTube Channel to stream City Council meetings live or watch previous meetings.

Accommodations

For any special needs or accommodations, please notify Jill Adams 72 hours prior to the meeting date. Reach Ms. Adams at (520) 458-3315 or through the Arizona Relay Service at 7-1-1.

City of Sierra Vista

(520) 458-3315

1011 N. Coronado Drive

Sierra Vista, AZ 85635