City recognizes employee-heros

Historic City News applauds a Visitor Center custodian who talked a distraught woman off the fourth floor ledge of the parking facility and a city Marine Operations officer who has rescued seven people and a dog in the past month, who will be honored by the City Commission Monday.

Lisa Moore was able to talk a young woman from a possible suicide attempt April 25, listening to the woman’s situation and remaining with her until police arrived.

Corporal Jerry Whitehead, a city police officer since 1996 and head of its marine unit since 2006, is praised by Police Chief Loran Lueders for the rescue of 22 people and two dogs over the past five years.

“I believe that Corporal Whitehead deserves recognition for his actions and I hope you concur,” Chief Lueders wrote in his recommendation.

April 6th, Whitehead rescued four persons and a dog stranded 14 miles offshore. April 16th, two were rescued in the St. Augustine Inlet – one considered by county rescue personnel to be a near drowning victim. April 17th, Whitehead responded to a swimmer in distress near Vilano Beach.

On May 4th, a swimmer in distress near the State Road 312 Bridge was found visibly shaking and very lethargic. The swimmer had cuts on his hands and feet from the oysters and was extremely cold and pale. Whitehead transported him to the City Marina where Rescue took over and transported him to the hospital.

If you are planning to attend — the regular St. Augustine City Commission meeting will begin at 5:00 p.m. Monday and will be held in the Alcazar Room; on the first floor of City Hall, located at 75 King Street in St. Augustine. It will be broadcast live on Comcast Government TV (Cable Channel 3) and is streamed over the Internet.

Photo credits: © 2011 Historic City News contributed photograph by COSA