OCSO Sergeant Honored for Saving Life of Suicidal Man in Burning Car
(OCSO, Oct. 29, 2020)
Orion Township, MI- The Michigan Sheriffs’ Association has awarded Oakland County Sheriff’s Office Sergeant Jeffery Cardinal with the Lifesaving Award for 2020. MSA Executive Director Matthew Saxton met with Sergeant Cardinal and Sheriff Michael J. Bouchard today to present him with this honor.
On January 10, 2020, at 9:45pm, Sergeant Cardinal was dispatched to a call referencing a suicidal subject in Orion Township. The subject posted a video to social media saying goodbye to family members and had threatened suicide. Upon arrival to the location, Sergeant Cardinal observed a car filled with thick smoke and an unidentified male inside who was making no attempt to exit the vehicle.
Sergeant 
Cardinal broke the driver’s side window of the burning vehicle and was able to safely remove the individual. Once the subject was out of immediate danger, Sergeant Cardinal proceeded to extinguish the flames before they engulfed the entire vehicle. Once the scene was safe, he was able to render aid to the suicidal subject until EMS and Fire arrived on scene.
MSA Executive Directors Axton commented, “Sergeant Cardinal is the perfect example of someone who deserves this award. He put his safety on the line to save the life of someone else and his quick-thinking helped to resolve this stressful incident in a safe manner.
”Sergeant Cardinal is a stellar representation of a law enforcement officer who inspires others throughout our agency and anyone he encounters,” said 
Sheriff Michael J. Bouchard. “His selfless service to our country as a former member of the United States Army, to his tenure as a highly respected member of the Sheriff’s Office has been outstanding, and he remains humble in his duties. His actions to save this person’s life serves as just one example, and I am proud of him. Jeff is someone who does not want accolades for his accomplishments yet continues to set a gold standard for how a police officer should conduct themselves. I could not be more honored to have him as part of our team.”
Cardinal began his career at the Sheriff’s Office in 1997 and was recently promoted to Sergeant in August 2020. During his tenure, he has worked in Corrections, Road Patrol, Auto Theft, the Fugitive Apprehension Team, Warrants, and has been a member of the SWAT team. Sergeant Cardinal also served in the United States Army prior to his employment with the Sheriff’s Office.
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