Submitted Photo Casey Visocsky, Surrey Police Department, was given a Life Saving Award in a ceremony at Surrey City Hall this past Monday. Visocsky is credited with saving the life of an overdose victim.

SURREY – He saved a life and was recognized for his action.

Officer Casey Visocsky of the Surrey Police Department was given the Life Saving Award by the North Dakota Peace Officer’s Association during a brief ceremony at City Hall Monday evening. Police Chief Luis Coca III nominated Visocsky for the honor.

Visocsky was on patrol on May 8 when he heard a conversation on his police radio about a possible overdose victim at the Dawn to Dusk convenience store east of Minot. Visocsky responded and was the first emergency responder on the scene.

There he observed a man sitting inside a vehicle with his head down and eyes closed. He did not respond to Visocsky’s efforts to wake him. After noticing a baggie containing white powder on the floor of the vehicle Visocsky made the decision to administer a dose of Narcan. It did not have the anticipated effect of reviving the man.

Visocsky got help from nearby bystanders to remove the large man from his vehicle, cleared his airway and determined that a second dosage of Narcan should be given. Within three minutes of the second dosage the man opened his eyes and began speaking to first responders.

In his letter of recommendation Coca III wrote, “Officer Visocsky did not hesitate to advise dispatch that he would be responding to assist in a call that he was not directly dispatched to, and he took immediate and appropriate actions once he was on scene. These actions allowed the man the opportunity to survive a potentially fatal overdose. Officer Visocsky’s performance is a shining example of what can be accomplished by a well-trained and dedicated emergency responder.”