A Master Trooper from the Indiana State Police Bremen Post recently received an award for the life-saving action he took to assist a Marshall County toddler earlier this year.
Indiana State Police held an awards and recognition ceremony in Indianapolis Friday afternoon to publicly recognize the achievements and accomplishments that all too often go without proper recognition. Officers were recognized for their dedication, service, bravery, and devotion to the Department and the citizens of Indiana.
Master Trooper Michael Gruett was recognized for the efforts he took to help save the life of a child this spring. According to authorities, on April 7th Gruett heard a 911 call advising that a two-year-old child had fallen into a pool located in Marshall County.
When Master Trooper Gruett arrived at the scene, he was met by the victim’s mother. She said she had removed the boy from the swimming pool and stated that she believed he had been in there for approximately two minutes. The mother had removed water from the child’s mouth, began CPR, and wrapped him in a blanket.
She was able to get the child breathing again but he continued to go in and out of consciousness. Master Trooper Gruett placed the child on the ground and began giving back slaps and sternum chest rubs to start, and keep, the child crying until EMS arrived.
EMS transported the child to the Plymouth Airport and he was then taken by a Medflight Helicopter to Memorial Hospital in South Bend, where he made a full recovery.
Gruett lives and patrols in Marshall County and is a 34-year veteran of the Indiana State Police.
