LOS ANGELES AND LA/ONTARIO AIRPORT POLICE OFFICERS RECOGNIZED BY MAYOR VILLARAIGOSA AND LOS ANGELES FIRE DEPARTMENT INTERIM CHIEF DOUGLAS L. BARRY

(Los Angeles, California – June 11, 2007) The Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) started installation of the Automated External Defibrillators (AED) in 2003 as part of the Los Angeles Public Access Defibrillation (PAD) Program. A press conference on Thursday, June 7th at the Los Angeles City Council Chambers was held to raise awareness of sudden cardiac arrest and defibrillation.

Immediately following the press conference, an awards ceremony was held to honor several officers who aided cardiac arrest victims at Los Angeles International Airport and LA/Ontario International Airport. Among the 18 officers honored, nine were members of the Los Angeles Airport Police. Officers James Adrian, Masis Sossikian, Sandra Kimber, Baquar Syed, Frank Shin, Paul Lara, Rodolfo Bojorquez, Clayton Kadekawa and Edward Corrington were presented commendations from Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa and Interim Fire Chief Douglas L. Barry. These officers assisted three sudden cardiac arrest victims using the AED.

Seven LA/Ontario Airport Safety Officers: Ryan Clark, Charles Bruno, Dan Meier, Eric Foehner, Raul Rodriguez, Michael Rasmussen and Captain Wendell Callaway were also given commendations for their assistance in saving the life of a 24 year old man. “Because of the swift, professional and heroic response of these officers, lives were saved and families were given more time with their loved ones”, said James T. Butts Jr., Los Angeles World Airports, Deputy Executive Director of Law Enforcement and Protection Services.

Los Angeles World Airports is the City department that owns and operates four airports in Southern California: Los Angeles International, LA/Ontario International, LA/Palmdale Regional and Van Nuys (general aviation).

(L to R) Los Angeles Airport Police Officers Masis Sossikian and Rodolfo Bojorquez, Los Angeles Airport Police Assistant Chief Errol Southers, Officers James Adrian, Sandra Kimber and Edward Corrington; bottom row: Officer Frank Shin and Clayton Kadekawa, after receiving awards. Photographs by: Officer Shawn Smith

(L to R) LA/Ontario Airport Police Safety Officers Ryan Clark, Charles Bruno, Dan Meier, LA/Ontario Airport Police Captain Greg Staar, LA/Ontario Fire Chief Dan Lindsay, Los Angeles Airport Police Assistant Chief Errol Southers, Officers Eric Foehner, Raul Rodriguez and Michael Rasmussen; Bottom row: (L to R) LA/Ontario Airport Fire Captains Wendell Callaway and Delbert Patschull after receiving awards. Photographs by: Officer Shawn Smith