On Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2009, Deputies Matt Harwood and Damian Frisby were dispatched to a report of family violence. Dispatch advised the deputies that a mother and adult son were engaged in a verbal dispute over the son’s drinking and he was probably in violation of a court order. Deputies Harwood and Frisby recognized the address and the name of the son from prior dealings. They also knew that the son had a history of violence against his mother and assisting arrest. Upon arriving at the address, Deputies Harwood and Frisby heard a verbal argument inside the residence between the mother and the son. Deputies entered the residence and attempted to quell the situation. The son, seeing that law enforcement had been summoned, fled to the upstairs of the residence with deputies giving chase, and leaped from a balcony to evade arrest. Deputies Harwood and Frisby ran back downstairs and outside in an attempt to locate the subject. CHP Office Paul Smyrski arrived on scene to assist in establishing a perimeter. While searching the area, Deputies Harwood and Frisby located the subject on a deck of a nearby residence. The subject, attempting to elude Deputies, crawled across the deck on his stomach and tried to slip between the railing of the deck and the floor boards. The subject’s body fit through the small opening, all except his head, which now was supporting the weight of his body dangling almost 6 feet off the ground (essentially hanging himself). When Deputies Harwood and Frisby, and CHP Officer Smyrski got to the subject he was motionless and appeared not to be breathing. It was apparent that if the subject did not receive immediate assistance he would most certainly die. The three officers immediately reacted in a life-saving capacity. Deputy Frisby and CHP Officer Smyrski each grabbed one of the subject’s legs and pushed him upwards, while Deputy Harwood climbed to the top of the deck and pulled the subject up. These efforts relieved the pressure around the subject’s neck and allowed for blood and air flow to resume. Because of the subject’s body position, it was not safe to remove him immediately. With Deputy Frisby and CHP Officer Smyrski pushing from the bottom and Deputy Harwood supporting his head, the three held the subject for a prolonged period of time, until fire personnel were able to respond to the scene and help with a safe extradition. The subject was them flown to Renown Trauma Center and treated for his injuries, which he fully recovered from. If not for the fast thinking and actions of Deputies Harwood and Frisby and CHP Officer Smyrski the subject would have surely succumbed to his paralysis position. CHP Officer Paul Smyrsku and Deputies Damian Frisby and Matt Harwood are commended for their heroic actions and dedication to protecting and preserving life, and are hereby awarded the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office Life Saving Certificate of Commendation.