Sheriff's ASTREA Deputies Honored For East County Rescue
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Deputies Bill Liniewicz (center left) and Michael Davis (center right) at the APSA ceremony on July 19.
They help keep San Diego County safe from high above the ground. Two deputies with the Sheriff's Aerial Support To Regional Enforcement Agencies (ASTREA) helicopter unit have been honored by the Airborne Public Safety Association (APSA) for the demanding technical rescue of a cross-country skier near Pine Valley earlier this year.
ASTREA Deputy Pilot Bill Liniewicz and ASTREA Tactical Flight Officer Michael Davis received the prestigious Captain 'Gus' Crawford Memorial Aircrew Of The Year Award during a ceremony at the APSA Conference in Omaha, Nebraska on July 19. The honor is given to individuals whose flying efforts and professionalism epitomize the APSA's motto of "To Serve and Protect from the Air." They were chosen from a large number of other award submissions from air support units all across the country.
ASTREA 1 hovering over the distressed cross-country skier on Feb. 24.
On Feb. 24, Liniewicz and Davis were flying in ASTREA 1 when they were dispatched to a call of a cross-country skier in distress at Big Laguna Lake. When they arrived at the scene, they found the victim had fallen through the frozen lake and was struggling to stay afloat.
Liniewicz and Davis wasted no time in getting the man to safety. While hovering over the skier, ASTREA 1 dragged a flotation device across the ice and into his hands. Once he grabbed it, the skier was gently pulled across the ice to shore where onlookers helped remove his cold, wet clothing and replaced it with some of their own. The skier later said that had ASTREA 1 not arrived when they did, he would not have had the strength to stay afloat or hold on to the rescue device.
The skier was flown to the hospital, treated for severe hypothermia and made a full recovery.
It was the first time Liniewicz and Davis had performed an ice water rescue. They both said the rescue was probably the greatest day of their law enforcement careers.
"The life-saving actions and bravery displayed by Deputies Bill Liniewicz and Michael Davis are a fine example of the dedication and commitment displayed by the San Diego County Sheriff's Department on a daily basis," said Sheriff Bill Gore. "We congratulate our Sheriff's ASTREA Deputies on their incredible honor."