Two College Officers Honored for Saving Student's Life

Two Eastern Florida State College security officers have been honored for their quick action earlier this year that saved the life of a student.

The incident occurred Jan. 29 when the student suffered a heart attack on the Palm Bay campus.

Security Officers Bill Marino and Michael Loreth found the student without a pulse and not breathing. Together, they immediately began performing CPR and used an A.E.D., Automated External Defibrillator, to get his heart started again.

The student recently returned to the class to thank the officers, holding up pictures of his grandchildren and praising them for their fast thinking that allowed him to live.

Marino and Loreth also received a letter of commendation from Jack Parker, Associate Vice President for the Public Safety Institute and Campus Security.

“On behalf of Dr. Richey and the entire Eastern Florida State College team, we are very proud that your actions led to the saving of this man’s life. Your efforts to ensure the safety of those on our campuses are greatly appreciated,” Parker said.

The Eastern Florida security force consists of 50 officers who patrol the college’s Titusville, Cocoa, Melbourne and Palm Bay campuses around-the-clock.

They also work closely with local law enforcement agencies that have established sub-stations on each campus to further strengthen campus safety.