Police and firefighters honored at breakfast

Community By Linda Trischitta, Editor Monday, September 19, 2022

    The Miami Lakes Public Safety Committee held its annual breakfast to recognize police officers and firefighters who protect the town. The gathering on Aug. 20 was held at the Miami Lakes Hotel on Main.

     This year, Miami-Dade Police Officers Robert DeLeon and Arisbel Rivero received plaques for saving the life of an infant boy.

     The baby’s mother called for help on March 18 after her child had been locked in a hot car. DeLeon and Rivero found her trying to regulate the baby’s temperature by placing him in a bathtub with cool water, according to a police memo.  

     DeLeon began to resuscitate the baby while Rivero fetched a fan to help cool the child.

     After receiving chest compressions from the officer, the infant opened his eyes and began to breathe. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue paramedics took the baby to a hospital, where a doctor said the police officers’ actions saved the child’s life, the memo states.

     The officers received departmental awards, ribbons to wear on their uniforms to recognize their decisive actions that saved a life.

     Also honored at the breakfast was Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Capt. Jonathan Rodriguez, for his extraordinary service and dedication to his profession, the committee said. It awarded Rodriguez a commemorative plaque, too.

     Shown in the first photo are Nancy Rogers, chair of the Public Safety Committee; Miami-Dade Police Maj. Javier Ruiz, who supervises the agency’s officers assigned to the town; Officer Robert DeLeon; Officer Arisbel Rivero and Mayor Manny Cid. 

     In the photo at right are Nancy Rogers, chair of the Public Safety Committee; Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Capt. Jonathan Rodriguez and Division Chief Horacio Rodriguez.

Photos courtesy of the Town of Miami Lakes.