Sarasota, Fla. — Chief Troche and Deputy Chief Mayforth presented Life Saving Awards recognizing officers and a Sarasota County Emergency Services firefighter for their swift and decisive actions that helped save a life.

On June 29, 2025, Officers Banasiak, Bergstad, Colon, Hanley, and Keusch were executing an arrest warrant at a local motel. While escorting the arrestee to their vehicles, the officers observed a sedan strike a light pole and continue northbound at an estimated speed of over 130 mph. The sedan collided with an SUV, which overturned multiple times before both vehicles came to rest near a nearby intersection.

Moments later, the sedan ignited, trapping the driver inside. Recognizing the imminent threat to life, and while maintaining custody of the previously arrested individual, the officers immediately initiated emergency response measures to render aid.

Upon reaching the sedan, they observed that it was rapidly becoming engulfed in flames, with an unconscious female occupant in the driver’s seat. The officers forcibly entered the vehicle, disengaged the seatbelt, and extricated the individual from the burning sedan to safety. With assistance from off-duty Firefighter Marshall Germond, they administered emergency aid to the victims.

Subsequently, the officers conducted a thorough check of the vehicle for any additional occupants and maintained security of the scene until Sarasota County Fire Department personnel arrived to extinguish the fire.

Watch their heroic efforts here: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1232867434676864