Two Dartmouth officers honored with Life Saving Award for quick action in June rescue

DARTMOUTH — Officers Max Szteliga and Dominik Sullivan-Souza received the Newport Police Department’s Life Saving Award this morning for their lifesaving efforts during an incident on June 3.

The officers were on patrol when they responded to a 911 call about an unresponsive man in a vehicle on the side of the road.

A passerby had discovered the vehicle, put it in park, and dialed emergency services.

Upon arriving at the scene, Szteliga and Sullivan-Souza found the man not breathing and without a pulse.

They quickly pulled the man from the vehicle and initiated CPR.

After delivering a shock with an Automated External Defibrillator (AED), the victim regained his pulse and consciousness.

Thanks to the officers’ rapid response and decisive actions, the man, identified as Mr. Dembitzki, has recovered and is doing well.

Mr. Dembitzki and his family attended the award ceremony at the station, making the event even more poignant for those involved.

Chief Brian Levesque praised the officers, stating, “This was a great example of the public, dispatch, and police officers working together to save a life. I am grateful that Officers Szteliga and Sullivan-Souza were able to provide life-saving care to Mr. Dembitzki. Having the Dembitzki family attend our ceremony this morning was very impactful and a reminder of the positive impact we can have on individuals and families in our community.”