Lifesavers Recognized, 3 Officers and 2 Good Samaritans – This evening before the Aransas Pass City Council, I recognized the actions of three officers and two citizens. The officers received the Lifesaving Award, and the two citizens received a Letter of Recognition and Appreciation.
On Saturday, February 7, 2015, just after 7:50 a.m., Officer Daniel Piper, Officer Justin Prado, and San Patricio County Deputy Kody Farenthold responded to an EMS call at Marker 13 on the water, between Stedman Island and Hog Island, Aransas Pass, Texas. The call was for a boat which had run aground, ejecting a passenger and leaving him seriously injured.
After arriving, officers encountered three subjects stranded. Gary Grote AGE 65 was in the water, severely injured and unresponsive. Two Good Samaritans, Ervin Moczygemba and Jack Palmer, transported officers by boat to the location on the water where Mr. Grote lay unconscious. Mr. Grote sustain severe injuries and was losing blood.
Officers jumped into the water, retrieved Mr. Grote and carried him from the water on to the grounded boat. When the Officers realized they could not get the boat unstuck, they went to carry him to Ervin’s boat. By that time, the officers needed assistance moving Mr. Grote. Ervin jumped into the water and aided officers, exposing himself to the dangers present.
Mr. Grote’s medical prognosis was grim, and for several weeks after the event, it was unknown if he would survive. However, Mr. Grote slowly recovered from the accident, though he did sustained life-altering injuries. Mr. Grote remains paralyzed from the upper chest area down. Mr. Grote attributes being alive to the lifesaving efforts of those who provided him with emergency aid that day.
Today, on behalf of Gary Grote and the City of Aransas Pass Public Safety Division, I take great pride in recognizing these esteemed stewards for their life-saving actions. Officer Daniel Piper, Officer Justin Prado, and San Patricio County Deputy Kody Farenthold received the Law Enforcement Lifesaving Award. Both Ervin Moczygemba (not able to attend council meeting) and Jack Palmer (not able to attend council meeting) received a formal Letter of Recognition and Appreciation. The selfless and swift actions of these individuals epitomizes the true meaning of public service, thank you!
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