Shelby Police Give out Civilian Awards to 10 Brave Residents

The Shelby Township Police Department presented the 2011 Civilian Awards Tuesday evening at the township board meeting to 10 residents who jumped into action before police and fire personnel were able to respond to an emergency.

Chief Roland Woelkers stated that lives were saved because of these residents' heroic actions.

He said this was just an small example of the many brave and helpful residents in the township.

"We have no chance without the support of our civilians and this is just an example of some of the civilians. We have a lot of serious incidents that our citizens help and report to us and we could not provide a good police service to the community without full police support."

2011 Civilian Award Recipients:

Melissa Rice gave CPR to a high school football player injured in an accident on the football field, saving his life. 

Wayne Twist and Nolan Twist rescued a citizen who was trapped under water in an overturned kayak in the Clinton River. 

Dennis Muehleisen and Paula and David Menendez rescued an unconscious elderly person who was face down in the water in a pond.

Tammy James, Edmund Koska, Alex Reinhardt and Richard Derks, employees at Costco, grabbed their first aid kits and helped a man whose legs were .

Oakland County Recognizes Shelby Citizen at Citizens Hero Award Ceremony

In Oakland County, two dozen citizens were honored by the Sheriff's Department at a ceremony in Pontiac. Among them was Shelby Township resident James Lumetta.

Sheriff Michael Bouchard said on Aug. 22, Lumetta was standing in a yard on Allen Court in Brandon Township when he was asked by a deputy to transport him in a pontoon boat across Bald Eagle Lake. The deputy was chasing after a man who had led the Oakland County Sheriffs on a high speed chase. The suspect had jumped out of his vehicle and began swimming across Bald Eagle Lake. Deputies were able to arrest the man with Lumetta's help.

"Without hesitation he (Lumetta) agreed. The assistance Mr. Lumetta provided was vital in the apprehension of this criminal and the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office thanks him," Bouchard said.

Do you know someone who should be nominated for a citizens hero award? Let us know who and why in the comments below.