DNR: Officer praised for assisting injured Man

Master Indiana Conservation Officer Deland Szczepanski /DNR Photo

Indiana Department of Natural Resources
Division of Law Enforcement    

CLOVERDALE, Ind- A resident of Junction City, Oregon, Mr. Mark Sullivan, recently telephoned the Indiana Conservation Officers District Five Headquarters to offer his praise and thanks for assistance he received from a vacationing Indiana Conservation Officer.

Mr. Sullivan relayed to Sgt. Chris Springstun that although he has a prosthetic lower leg, he still owns and enjoys riding a touring motorcycle.  Mr. Sullivan said that he and his wife were vacationing along the coast of Washington State in June and that while parking his motorcycle, the kick-stand somehow failed.  The heavy motorcycle fell onto Mr. Sullivan, pinning him to the ground with his prosthesis and upper thigh absorbing the entire impact of the falling machine.  The weight of the motorcycle broke Mr. Sullivan’s femur and left him pinned to the ground in excruciating pain.

Master Indiana Conservation Officer Deland Szczepanski was nearby with his family and he immediately recognized the seriousness of the situation.  Without hesitation, he went to the aid of Mr. Sullivan and helped remove the motorcycle.  Officer Szczepanski assisted Mr. Sullivan to a nearby business and convinced the store owner to allow Mr. Sullivan to use a private room while he evaluated the extent of his injury.  

In addition to mitigating the emergency at hand, Officer Szczepanski recognized that Mr. Sullivan’s motorcycle would be vulnerable to theft or vandalism if left where it was, so he graciously took the time to transport the motorcycle back to the cabin where the Sullivan’s were staying.

During his telephone conversation with Sgt. Springstun, Mr. Sullivan stated that he had not exchanged information with Officer Szczepanski so it took some detective work on his part to track down the officer to pass along his appreciation.

Indiana Conservation Officers District Five Commander, Lt. Kent Hutchins commented when informed of Officer Szczepanski’s actions: “Some members of society are currently doing their best to paint law enforcement officers nationwide as disconnected and uncaring. Officer Szczepanki’s response to the crisis facing this gentleman clearly demonstrates that police officers everywhere, even while vacationing far from home stand ready and willing to render aid to persons in need.”