Clearlake Police officer honored for saving man’s life
- Elizabeth Larson
- Posted On
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – At Thursday night’s Clearlake City Council meeting, a Clearlake Police officer was honored for saving a man’s life.
Officer Chris Kelleher received a certificate and a life-saving award medal that he’s entitled to wear on his uniform to signify his efforts.
Presenting the award to Kelleher was Capt. Tim Celli and Chief Andrew White.
“Every once in a while we're at the right place at the right time, but this officer's actions went above and beyond,” said Celli.
On Dec. 2, Kelleher was on patrol on Walnut Avenue when he saw two suspicious subjects entering a property, Celli said.
Celli said Kelleher then saw a male subject on the ground. Kelleher found the man was not breathing and had no pulse, with his condition the result of a possible drug overdose.
Kelleher advised dispatch that he needed an emergency medical response and conducted cardiopulmonary resuscitation on the man until he developed a pulse, according to Celli.
Medical personnel then arrived on scene and found the man had a pulse and was breathing, Celli said.
Celli said the man was taken to the hospital for treatment, and he’s since been seen walking around town by other officers.
Based on the totality of the circumstances, Celli said they believe Kelleher’s actions saved the man’s life.
As a result, Celli recommended Kelleher for the life-saving award, which White presented to Kelleher.
Kelleher has been with the department for about four years.
Chief White told Lake County News that it was Celli, while serving as the department’s interim police chief, who instituted the life-saving award.
Previous recipients include Sgt. Travis Lenz, who saved a woman who had been held hostage at gunpoint in October 2015, and Officer Trevor Franklin, who in March 2016 saved an elderly couple from a house fire.
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