Christopher Camacho, Department of Correction

Christopher Camacho is a Corporal at James T. Vaughn and on his way home one day, he came across a vehicle that had flipped sideways into a deep ditch. The incident happened moments before when the driver was attempting to turn her vehicle but drove off the roadway, striking a tree and flipping the vehicle on its left side. Another driver had stopped as well and was calling 911. Both men then heard the passenger yelling she was trapped and the vehicle was smoking. They immediately ran to the vehicle and carefully removed the bleeding woman while paying special attention to any possible neck injuries. Christopher stayed on the scene until emergency responders arrived shortly after. The passenger was not injured and was transported to Kent County Hospital as a precaution.

Paula Thomas, Department of Health and Social Services

Child Support Specialist Paula Thomas was working with a client who began to cry and disclosed that she’d recently been hospitalized due to a suicide attempt related to her children and child support. The client stated: “I just wanted to give up” and “It would be better if I weren’t here.” After discussing options, Paula inquired if she could come back at a later time. The client replied, “I will not be here.” At that point, Paula made initial contact with Mobile Crisis and worked out a plan of action. Paula informed the client that the county administrator would lift her suspension and exempt enforcement activities for 3 months to help the client get back on her feet. The client was tearful, but thankful, and Paula provided the client with the contact information for Mobile Crisis for additional resources and assistance.

William Forbes, Department of Transportation

William Forbes is a Paratransit Operator with the Delaware Transit Corporation and recently picked up a passenger at the Christiana Hospital main entrance for transportation home. While waiting at a red light, William realized that his passenger was not responsive and was leaning over on her oxygen equipment. He tried to get a response from the passenger but was not successful. He was still in close proximity to the hospital, so William made a U-turn and rushed back to the emergency room entrance and ran inside. ER staff found the passenger not breathing and pulseless, and started CPR. The passenger was resuscitated and was admitted to the hospital.

Sean McHale, Justice of the Peace Court

While on his way to work at Justice of the Peace Court 13 one morning, Court Security Officer Sean McHale came upon the scene of a multi-vehicle accident, including a rollover in the center-lane of the busy highway. He parked his vehicle in the center median and made his way on foot toward the immobilized vehicle where he discovered that three people were trapped in the overturned Jeep, now laying on its side directly in the path of oncoming traffic. Sean directed a bystander to help a passenger at the vehicle’s rear as he removed two more passengers. Sean crossed the heavy traffic for a second time to escort the victims towards the safety of the median to await first responders.

Betty Jo Charles, Department of Health and Social Services

Betty Jo Charles is a Nursing Supervisor with the Division of Public Health for the Tuberculosis (TB) clinic. In 2019, a client of the Williams State Service Center’s TB Clinic needed treatment and was homeless. Betty Jo used her network to quickly find a dwelling where the client could stay and continue their TB treatment. And if that wasn’t enough, her discovery also provided a service which could transition the client to long-term housing. Her efforts helped to ensure that her client did not see a single night on the street, and there were no interruptions to the client’s TB medications.
 

Evan Taylor, Department of Transportation

Evan Taylor is a Facility Technician with the Delaware Transit Corporation and was recently at the Claymont Train Station dropping off rock salt. He went to make contact with the contract security guard at the station and found him unconscious and un-responsive in his chair inside the guard shack. Evan tried several times to wake the guard by shaking him and calling his name, however he soon realized that the guard was having a medical emergency. Evan quickly called 911 and remained with the guard, keeping his airway open and monitoring him until EMS arrived. The guard was eventually transported to the hospital and listed in good condition.

Joshua Churchill, Department of Correction

Probation Officer Josh Churchill was working with the Sussex Governor’s Task Force when a call was dispatched for a suspected overdose nearby. He and a fellow Task Force member responded and were the first unit on scene. They entered the residence and located the victim who was unconscious and unresponsive. They determined that this was an opioid overdose and without medical intervention she would have completely stopped breathing. Josh immediately employed his naloxone intranasal mist and administered 1mL of NARCAN. The victim showed slight signs of improvement, and after approximately 2 minutes, he administered a 2nd mL of NARCAN. She again showed signs of improvement but remained unconscious. He prepared his second syringe of NARCAN but before he could administer it, EMS arrived on scene and care was transferred.

Amy Edwards, Department of Health and Social Services

Amy Edwards is an Accounting Specialist with the Division of Public Health. Amy encountered a young man in distress one day in the office parking lot. He asked where he could go to receive financial assistance and Amy gave him a booklet of information. She stayed with him and as he made phone calls he began to cry and stated that he wanted to kill himself, saying that he was going to throw himself in the highway. Amy called the suicide hotline to let him speak to the dispatcher. Before help arrived, the client stated he was walking to the highway. He was becoming more agitated, so she called 911. Capitol Police arrived quickly. They spoke to the man and decided to take him to Bayhealth Hospital for evaluation.