NEW GLARUS - New Glarus has three new heroes.
New Glarus Police Sgt. Jeff W. Sturdevant, Jeff A. Babler and New Glarus Fire Rescue member Jim L. Moldenhauer received awards Wednesday for their actions that saved the life of a 23-month-old girl Nov. 24.
Police Chief Steven Allbaugh presented the New Glarus Police Life Saving Award to Sturdevant and civilian Life Saving Awards to Babler and Moldenhauer at the village's Public Safety Committee meeting in New Glarus.
"I really appreciate the good response," Babler said about the two men who helped him save the child. "It's important in a community."
The girl, who had been in a bathtub with her 6-year-old sister, had slipped and struck her head, causing her to lose consciousness and slip under the water. When she was discovered, she was not breathing and had no pulse.
Babler took immediate action to remove the child from the water and began mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, while his wife called in the emergency.
The family has an emergency plan, Babler said, and he has CPR training.
Having a good plan for emergencies prevented them from being afraid in the situation, Babler said.
Sturdevant was dispatched at about 7:25 p.m., before rescue was alerted. He was in a car on Wisconsin 69 at the time.
He reported the child had no pulse when he arrived at the residence in the 800 block of 2nd Street. He immediately began chest compressions.
"I was just in the right place at the right time," Sturdevant said.
Moldenhauer got the First Response alert, and went straight to the home, because it was on his way to the station.
The experience was unique, he said.
"It's different when it's a child," he said. "And I have a child the same age."
When Moldenhauer arrived, he assisted Sturdevant.
After Moldenhauer discovered a pulse, he worked to maintain the child's breathing and heartbeat. The child was later transported to the hospital.
Allbaugh said the initial actions of Babler, Sturdevant and Moldenhauer not only saved the life of the child, but also prevented permanent damage to her.
This was Sturdevant's second life-saving award in two years. In November 2008, he helped revive a woman in cardiac arrest. He just happened to be nearby then, too.
"Jeff is an exceptional officer," Allbaugh said. "Last year he was awarded Officer of the Year by chiefs in the county. Heck of a cop - always has been."
The child was treated and released from the hospital and is reported to be in good health.
New Glarus Police Sgt. Jeff W. Sturdevant, Jeff A. Babler and New Glarus Fire Rescue member Jim L. Moldenhauer received awards Wednesday for their actions that saved the life of a 23-month-old girl Nov. 24.
Police Chief Steven Allbaugh presented the New Glarus Police Life Saving Award to Sturdevant and civilian Life Saving Awards to Babler and Moldenhauer at the village's Public Safety Committee meeting in New Glarus.
"I really appreciate the good response," Babler said about the two men who helped him save the child. "It's important in a community."
The girl, who had been in a bathtub with her 6-year-old sister, had slipped and struck her head, causing her to lose consciousness and slip under the water. When she was discovered, she was not breathing and had no pulse.
Babler took immediate action to remove the child from the water and began mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, while his wife called in the emergency.
The family has an emergency plan, Babler said, and he has CPR training.
Having a good plan for emergencies prevented them from being afraid in the situation, Babler said.
Sturdevant was dispatched at about 7:25 p.m., before rescue was alerted. He was in a car on Wisconsin 69 at the time.
He reported the child had no pulse when he arrived at the residence in the 800 block of 2nd Street. He immediately began chest compressions.
"I was just in the right place at the right time," Sturdevant said.
Moldenhauer got the First Response alert, and went straight to the home, because it was on his way to the station.
The experience was unique, he said.
"It's different when it's a child," he said. "And I have a child the same age."
When Moldenhauer arrived, he assisted Sturdevant.
After Moldenhauer discovered a pulse, he worked to maintain the child's breathing and heartbeat. The child was later transported to the hospital.
Allbaugh said the initial actions of Babler, Sturdevant and Moldenhauer not only saved the life of the child, but also prevented permanent damage to her.
This was Sturdevant's second life-saving award in two years. In November 2008, he helped revive a woman in cardiac arrest. He just happened to be nearby then, too.
"Jeff is an exceptional officer," Allbaugh said. "Last year he was awarded Officer of the Year by chiefs in the county. Heck of a cop - always has been."
The child was treated and released from the hospital and is reported to be in good health.