LOS ANGELES AIRPORT POLICE OFFICERS RECOGNIZED BY LOS ANGELES CITY COUNCIL FOR SAVING A LIFE

(Los Angeles, California – February 9, 2012) Two Los Angeles Airport Police officers will be recognized by the Los Angeles City Council for saving the life of a female who suffered a heart attack at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) in December. Councilmember Dennis Zine will present the officers with certificates of appreciation during the regularly scheduled council meeting on Friday, February 10, 2012, at 10:00 a.m.

On December 30, 2011, Airport Police Officers Robert Mosquera, a four-year veteran and Thi Tran, a two-year veteran, responded to a call for help. Etel Martinez, a resident of Mission Hills, California was at LAX to drop off her sister who was flying out when she collapsed on the sidewalk in front of Terminal 2 and her husband helped her back into their vehicle. While the officers gathered information, Martinez suddenly stopped breathing and no longer had a pulse. Officer Mosquera immediately began cardio-pulmonary resuscitation, while Officer Tran retrieved an automated external defibrillator from inside the terminal. Together, the two officers worked incessantly until Martinez regained vital signs. Soon after, Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics arrived on scene and transported Martinez to a local hospital for further treatment. Following up with Martinez and her family, the officers reported, "She is happy and recovering well." To express her gratitude, she offered to make the officers a homemade meal.

In attendance at the City Council meeting will be Los Angeles World Airports Police Deputy Executive Director of Law Enforcement and Homeland Security & Intelligence Arif Alikhan and Airport Police Chief Michael T. Hyams, as well as the officers’ families, friends and Airport Police colleagues.

Chief Hyams said, "The quick actions of Officers Tran and Mosquera exemplify the most important function of those who work in public safety. There is no greater service than saving the life of another. We are all thankful they were present and prepared to perform this critical task."

The Los Angeles Airport Police Division is the fourth largest law enforcement agency in Los Angeles County with more than 1,100 law enforcement, security and staff personnel. Airport Police is a division of Los Angeles World Airports, the City department that owns and operates three airports in Southern California: Los Angeles International (LAX), LA/Ontario International (ONT) and Van Nuys (general aviation).