Deputy recognized for helping to save Vietnam veteran
Willard Truckenmiller
A Lehigh Acres deputy was honored by the Greater Lehigh Acres Chamber of Commerce for his compassion and the saving of a life of a U.S. Marine who fought in the Vietnam War and has also been a firefighter.
Lt. Mark Shelly told chamber members at their Nov. 24 monthly luncheon held at the Majestic Golf and Country Club in Lehigh that on Nov. 7, Deputy Willard Truckenmiller responded to an address on John Avenue in Lehigh to what had been reported as a disturbance involving a former member of the Marine Corps, who was a Vietman War veteran suffering from Post-traumatic Stress Disorder, also known as PTSD.
The man was having an episode related to his medical condition and in addition to hallucinations regarding Vietnam, it was reported that he was in possession of a large number of firearms.
Truckenmiller, who is also a Marine Corps veteran, recognized the man from a previous encounter and recalled that he was also a former sniper, members were told.
The lieutenant said Deputy Truckenmiller quickly established a rapport with the veteran based on their shared military background and was able to quickly deescalate the incident before summoning medical services to the scene. Truckenmiller recalled the individual’s state of health during the previous call and his current observation of decline, so he quickly arranged for medics to take the man to Gulf Coast Hospital despite the man’s wishes, chamber members were told.
MEL TOADVINE Fred Elliott, of the Rotary Club of Lehigh Acres, was the speaker at last week’s Greater Lehigh Acres Chamber of Commerce luncheon. He spoke on the club’s activities.
On Nov. 22, Truckenmiller again responded to the same address, this time for a reported theft.
When Truckenmiller arrived on scene, he was met by the same veteran, who was all too happy to see him, his Marine comrade and savior, Shelly said. He told the deputy that during his treatment at Gulf Coast Hospital, doctors discovered a very large, life threatening brain tumor. A local neurosurgeon removed the tumor within days of its discovery and said that without its removal, he would have died.
“Deputy Truckenmiller displayed exemplary conduct in communications and officer safety while dealing with an individual suffering from an emotional illness and still recognizing serious health concerns. Deputy Truckenmiller’s alertness and prompt actions resulted in saving the life of a citizen of Lee County while safeguarding others,” Shelly said.
Sgt. John Craven nominated Truckenmiller for the award for his “highly creditable accomplishments during this incident.”
Following the presentation, Fred Elliott, a member of the Rotary Club of Lehigh Acres, about two dozen members strong, explained the many things that the Rotary Club does in Lehigh.
“We’re called Rotarians,” Elliott noted. He talked about the national effort by all Rotary Clubs working to extinguish polio from the world.
He also spoke of the many things this small Rotary Club in Lehigh does. Of the many things one of the major events is the cooking of both the Community Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners for the people of Lehigh.
He said Rotarians were preparing to report to St. Raphael’s Church later in the day to begin cooking several turkeys and hams in anticipation for the free community dinner on Thanksgiving.
This was the first meeting overseen by the chamber’s new interim director, Joan Cunningham, following the resignation of Inka Baker.
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- MEL TOADVINE Fred Elliott, of the Rotary Club of Lehigh Acres, was the speaker at last week’s Greater Lehigh Acres Chamber of Commerce luncheon. He spoke on the club’s activities.
Deputy recognized for helping to save Vietnam veteran
Willard Truckenmiller
A Lehigh Acres deputy was honored by the Greater Lehigh Acres Chamber of Commerce for his compassion and the saving of a life of a U.S. Marine who fought in the Vietnam War and has also been a firefighter.
Lt. Mark Shelly told chamber members at their Nov. 24 monthly luncheon held at the Majestic Golf and Country Club in Lehigh that on Nov. 7, Deputy Willard Truckenmiller responded to an address on John Avenue in Lehigh to what had been reported as a disturbance involving a former member of the Marine Corps, who was a Vietman War veteran suffering from Post-traumatic Stress Disorder, also known as PTSD.
The man was having an episode related to his medical condition and in addition to hallucinations regarding Vietnam, it was reported that he was in possession of a large number of firearms.
Truckenmiller, who is also a Marine Corps veteran, recognized the man from a previous encounter and recalled that he was also a former sniper, members were told.
The lieutenant said Deputy Truckenmiller quickly established a rapport with the veteran based on their shared military background and was able to quickly deescalate the incident before summoning medical services to the scene. Truckenmiller recalled the individual’s state of health during the previous call and his current observation of decline, so he quickly arranged for medics to take the man to Gulf Coast Hospital despite the man’s wishes, chamber members were told.
MEL TOADVINE Fred Elliott, of the Rotary Club of Lehigh Acres, was the speaker at last week’s Greater Lehigh Acres Chamber of Commerce luncheon. He spoke on the club’s activities.
On Nov. 22, Truckenmiller again responded to the same address, this time for a reported theft.
When Truckenmiller arrived on scene, he was met by the same veteran, who was all too happy to see him, his Marine comrade and savior, Shelly said. He told the deputy that during his treatment at Gulf Coast Hospital, doctors discovered a very large, life threatening brain tumor. A local neurosurgeon removed the tumor within days of its discovery and said that without its removal, he would have died.
“Deputy Truckenmiller displayed exemplary conduct in communications and officer safety while dealing with an individual suffering from an emotional illness and still recognizing serious health concerns. Deputy Truckenmiller’s alertness and prompt actions resulted in saving the life of a citizen of Lee County while safeguarding others,” Shelly said.
Sgt. John Craven nominated Truckenmiller for the award for his “highly creditable accomplishments during this incident.”
Following the presentation, Fred Elliott, a member of the Rotary Club of Lehigh Acres, about two dozen members strong, explained the many things that the Rotary Club does in Lehigh.
“We’re called Rotarians,” Elliott noted. He talked about the national effort by all Rotary Clubs working to extinguish polio from the world.
He also spoke of the many things this small Rotary Club in Lehigh does. Of the many things one of the major events is the cooking of both the Community Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners for the people of Lehigh.
He said Rotarians were preparing to report to St. Raphael’s Church later in the day to begin cooking several turkeys and hams in anticipation for the free community dinner on Thanksgiving.
This was the first meeting overseen by the chamber’s new interim director, Joan Cunningham, following the resignation of Inka Baker.
-
- MEL TOADVINE Fred Elliott, of the Rotary Club of Lehigh Acres, was the speaker at last week’s Greater Lehigh Acres Chamber of Commerce luncheon. He spoke on the club’s activities.
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