Michigan–-(Ammoland.com)- Kyle Bader, a conservation officer in Ogemaw County, Michigan, recently was recognized by the Department of Natural Resources with a Lifesaving Award – handed out by the department’s Law Enforcement Division – for preventing a potential suicide this past spring. CO Bader received the award at Thursday’s regular meeting of the Natural Resources Commission in Gaylord.
In March, Bader was dispatched to look for a subject who had said he was planning to commit suicide by carbon monoxide poisoning. Using OnStar to pinpoint the vehicle’s last known location on state-managed land in Ogemaw County, Bader arrived, but was unable to find a clear route to the GPS coordinates.
Bader left his truck and proceeded on foot through the snow until he found fresh tire tracks. When he arrived at the vehicle, he found the engine running with a flexible tube connecting the exhaust pipe to the vehicle’s interior.
Bader shouted at the man, who was reclined in the driver’s seat, and instructed him to the open the door. When the man complied, Bader removed the pale subject from the vehicle. The Ogemaw County Sheriff’s Department arrived to transport the subject to the emergency room and Bader stayed with him until the man’s family arrived.
The man’s brother has since reported that he is much improved since the incident and said he believes, were it not for Bader, his brother would have died.
“Through CO Bader’s determination, knowledge of the area, and dedication, he was able to locate a person in need, not only saving his life, but also ensuring that the person received the necessary medical attention,” said Gary Hagler, chief of the DNR Law Enforcement Division. “This illustrates the level of caring and public service conservation officers across the state provide to our communities.We are proud of CO Bader and his fellow officers who proudly serve the citizens of Michigan every day.”
Although Bader said he was pleased by the award, he said he was just doing his job.
“Like I told my sergeant when he told me he was going to submit me, it wasn’t anything special – just something I’d do any day,” Bader said. “I really appreciate folks recognizing it, but if any of my fellow officers had gotten that call, they’d have all done the same thing.”
Bader is the sixth DNR conservation officer this year to be honored with the Law Enforcement Division’s Lifesaving Award. The others were cited for rescuing Belle Isle visitors who had fallen through the ice in March 2015 and helping a hunter who suffered an accidental, self-inflicted gunshot wound at the start of the 2015 deer season.
Michigan conservation officers are fully commissioned state peace officers who provide natural resources protection, ensure recreational safety and protect citizens by providing general law enforcement duties and lifesaving operations. Learn more about their work at www.michigan.gov/conservationofficers.