Chief Hunsinger, left, reads from the life-saving certificate awarded to Kingston police officer Jefferson Ramirez, center, and Forty Fort police officer Dane Sorensen, right.
Margaret Roarty | Times Leader
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Tina Latona, wife of John Daley, expresses her gratitude to the police officer’s who helped save her husband’s life following their motorcycle crash. Forty Fort Police Chief Daniel Hunsinger stands beside her, at the podium.
Margaret Roarty | Times Leader
Kingston police officer Jefferson Ramirez and Forty Fort police officer Dane Sorensen were honored during Monday’s Forty Fort Borough council meeting.
Margaret Roarty | Times Leader
Chief Hunsinger shows off the medal awarded to both Ramirez and Sorensen for their life-saving actions.
Margaret Roarty | Times Leader
FORTY FORT — Two area police officers received a standing ovation during a special Forty Fort Borough council meeting Monday night when they were honored for the life saving measures they performed during a motorcycle crash last month that left one man an amputee.
Kingston officer Jefferson Ramirez and Forty Fort officer Dane Sorensen were recognized by Forty Fort Police Chief Daniel Hunsinger for their actions on the night of Aug. 22, when they helped save the life of 48-year-old John Daley, who suffered life threatening injuries after his motorcycle hit a guard rail on the off-ramp of State Route 309 near Rutter Avenue.
“If it hadn’t been for the actions of these officers, [Daley] might not have survived the crash,” Hunsinger said.
The two officers were awarded certificates for “outstanding performances saving a human life” and the “display of conspicuous initiative, capability and attention to duty.”
Additionally, Sorensen and Ramirez were given life-saving medals to pin and wear on their uniforms.
During his brief remarks, Hunsinger explained the details of what happened the night of the crash and how instrumental the officers were in saving Daley’s life.
Sorensen was called to the scene of the crash around midnight, when he was directed over to Daley by witnesses who were trying to tend to his injuries.
The motorcycle Daley was driving had hit the guardrail, which ejected both Daley and his wife Tina Latona, 42, over the embankment.
Latona’s injuries were less severe, but the bottom of Daley’s leg was severed.
Sorensen quickly applied a tourniquet from his first aid kit. When Ramirez arrived on scene to assist him, they both worked together to tie the tourniquet tight enough to eventually stop the bleeding.
Latona was present at the meeting and gifted Sorensen and Ramirez tee-shirts that read “Execution Strong.” Following the accident, that phrase became the motto of her and Daley’s motorcycle repair shop, Execution Cycle.
“Thank you for the assistance that you guys provided. My heart is so full,” she told the officers. “John is a very strong individual as he goes through recovery so this just represents him.”
Latona said that Daley is in good spirits following the crash, but that he has a long road ahead of him.
Both Hunsinger and Latona also expressed their gratitude to the good samaritans, Rich Jarus and Justin Alverson, who tended to Daley’s injuries before EMS arrived.
Although what Sorensen and Ramirez did that night might seem extraordinary, Hunsinger said they told him they were simply doing their jobs.
Hunsinger said that’s precisely why that work is so important and crucial to the community’s safety and well being.
“Police officers, fire fighters, ambulance technicians — everyone who takes a job in emergency services takes the job because they want to make that difference. They want to help people.”