Three Lakeville Area Men Recognized as Heroes

In what is most likely a first for both cities, a Farmington police officer was awarded with a written commendation by Lakeville’s police chief.

Farmington police officer Andrew Van Dorn was among three Lakeville area men who were awarded the Chief’s Award of Merit on Monday evening. Lakeville firefighter Gregg Stommes and Lakeville citizen William Inhofer were also presented with the award.

The three were being recognized for a July 14 incident in which they administered CPR to a vehicle crash victim before emergency personnel could respond to the scene. Van Dorn, Inhofer, and Stommes, who was off-duty at the time, noticed smoke rising from the crashed vehicle and pulled the driver out. The men then began administering CPR after not being able to register a pulse on the victim until emergency personnel were on the scene.

Their actions are credited for saving the victim’s life. The victim has made a full recovery.

That victim, John Manias, who is the father of Lakeville Police Captain Kevin Manias, was also on hand for the award ceremony Monday evening during the Lakeville City Council meeting to thank the men personally.

“I came here tonight to give these three gentlemen a hug,” said the senior Manias. “I want to thank you for allowing me to tell my story.”

Responding Lakeville officer Thor Howe interviewed the three men at the crash scene and upon learning of their actions nominated them for the award.

“The quick thinking and response by these men saved this victim’s life,” Howe wrote in his report. “Without these men and their life saving efforts, this would likely have been a fatality.”

The award was presented by Lakeville Police Chief Thomas Vonhof.