Bradenton Police Officer Credited With Saving Girl's Life

A Bradenton Police officer credited with saving a 15-year-old girl's life as she tried to commit suicide has been named the department's Officer of the Year for 2012.

Officer Andres Perez responded to a call in July about a girl who was attempting to commit suicide with a knife and had locked herself in her bedroom, officials said.

According to the department, Perez used his own knife to gain entry into the bedroom, where he found the girl was not breathing and had a belt tied around her neck and lacerations on her wrist. 

Perez again used his knife to cut the belt loose from a closet hangar rod, allowing the girl to start breathing again. The officer continued to monitor her condition until emergency medical assistance arrived, officials said. She was taken into protective custody and admitted to a local hospital.

"If Officer Perez had not taken immediate action, this child may not have survived," the department said. "Officer Perez’ actions are keeping within the highest traditions of the Bradenton Police Department."

Bradenton Chief of Police Michael Radzilowski made the announcement in a media release sent Tuesday.

Perez joined the police force in March 2010. He is assigned to the Patrol Operations Dvision in District 2, which serves west Bradenton.

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