GIPD honors nine officers, Banuelos receives Life Saving Award

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. — The Grand Island Police Department is celebrating its own.

The department hosted its annual awards ceremony Monday night. Chief Robert Falldorf honored nine officers with awards for years of service milestones and for exemplary action.

Officer Chrystian Banuelos received the department’s Life Saving Award. Last month, he responded to a call involving an elderly woman who was unconscious, had stopped breathing and didn’t have a pulse.

“I then began chest compressions," Banuelos said. "When I started to notice that the female had food items lodged in her throat, at which point I began to dislodge those items and remove them from her mouth and her esophagus. I continued chest compressions until EMS got there, continually removing food items from her throat.”

Banuelos appreciates receiving the award, but is quick to spread the credit around to his peers.

“I’m very grateful for the Grand Island Police Department for many things, a multitude of things that they have provided," Banuelos said. "(Those) include great and adequate training and the ability to go out and positively impact the community.”

Officer Chris Fakkema received the Distinguished Service Award and a letter of commendation, Investigator Bryce Collamore received a Distinguished Service Award, and Investigator Ryan Sullivan received a letter of commendation.