Dartmouth officers awarded for saving a life

On Monday June 3, Dartmouth Police Officers Max Szteliga and Dominik Sullivan-Souza weren’t aware they were responding to a call that would earn them the Life Saving Award, but when the two’s quick actions saved a man’s life, they were recognized for their efforts in a ceremony with the department Monday, July 22.

On that day in June, a person driving in the area noticed a vehicle with an unresponsive driver on the side of the road, according to Dartmouth Police. Putting the car in park, the person called 911 and Szteliga and Sullivan-Souza were the ones to respond. 

It was Robert Dembitzki who was discovered in the car without a pulse, according to police. The officers removed him from the vehicle and began CPR, using an AED to administer the shock that led Dembitzki to regain a pulse and consciousness.

Dembitzki is now doing well, police said. He and his family joined the department at the station for the ceremony.

"This was a great example of the public, dispatch and police officers working together to save a  life. I am grateful that Officers Szteliga and Sullivan-Souza were able to provide life-saving care to Mr. Dembitzki,” said Police Chief Brian Levesque. “Having the Dembitzki family attend our ceremony this morning was very impactful and a reminder of the positive impact we can have on  individuals and families in our community."