Oakland County Sheriff's Sergeant Given Life-Saving Award

OAKLAND COUNTY, MI — An Oakland County Sheriff's deputy has been given a lifesaving award by the Michigan Sheriff's Association.

Sgt. Jeffery Cardinal was presented with the award by MSA Executive Director Matthew Saxton Thursday.

“Sergeant Cardinal is a stellar representation of a law enforcement officer who inspires others
throughout our agency and anyone he encounters,” Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard said. “His selfless service to our country as a former member of the United States Army, to his tenure as a highly respected member of the Sheriff’s Office has been outstanding, and he remains humble in his duties.

"His actions to save this person’s life serves as just one example, and I am proud of him. Jeff is
someone who does not want accolades for his accomplishments yet continues to set a gold standard for how a police officer should conduct themselves. I could not be more honored to have him as part of our team.”

According to the sheriff's office, on Jan. 10, 2020, at 9:45pm, Cardinal was dispatched to a call in Orion Township where someone had posted a video on social media discussing suicide and saying goodbye to family members.

When Cardinal got to the scene, he saw a car filled with thick smoke and a man inside the vehicle who was not trying to get out of the car, the sheriff's office said.

Cardinal broke the driver's side window of the car and was able to get the man out of it, the sheriff's office said. The sheriff's sergeant then put out the fire and rendered aid to the man until other crews were able to respond to the scene, the department said.

“Sergeant Cardinal is the perfect example of someone who deserves this award," Saxton said. "He put his safety on the line to save the life of someone else and his quick-thinking helped to resolve this stressful incident in a safe manner.”

Cardinal began his career at the Sheriff’s Office in 1997 and was recently promoted to Sergeant in August 2020, the sheriff's office said..