Medal of Valor awarded to officers in Colosimo incident

Intermountain Catholic

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Larry Colosimo (left) presented the Medal of Valor to Draper Police Officer Kevin Newman and Det. Jaclyn Moore in recognition of their efforts when they responded to the scene where his son, Adam Colosimo, was accidently electrocuted. Adam's aunt and uncle Sara and Paul Colosimo (shown hugging the officers) also gave them a gift. IC photo/Marie Mischel

Draper Police Officer Kevin Newman and Det. Jaclyn Moore received the Medal of Valor from their department for their efforts while responding to the incident involving Adam Colosimo, the Juan Diego Catholic High School student who died July 10, 2012.

The Medal of Valor is awarded to those "who unselfishly and at great personal risk of life perform an act of saving a life or otherwise performs an act of courage that places the employee in grave danger or gives his or her life in the line of duty," said Draper Police Chief Bryan A. Roberts during the Feb. 1 Draper Police Department Annual Awards Ceremony at Draper City Hall, which also honored others with various recognitions.

Adam Colosimo was injured June 30, 2012. When they arrived at the scene, Newman and Moore climbed a metal ladder that was the only access to the roof where Adam Colosimo had been accidently electrocuted. "Officers were concerned that whatever was causing the ledge to the building to be electrified would also cause the ladder to be electrified. The officers learned that Adam was possibly not breathing and unresponsive, so they took immediate action," Roberts said.

They ensured that the ladder wasn’t electrified and climbed up.

"Once at the top of the ladder the officers had to carefully jump over the ledge of the building to prevent electrocution," Roberts said; they then performed CPR for 17 minutes before paramedics arrived on the rooftop.

"For the next 10 days, Adam’s condition was up and down until he succumbed to his injuries on July 10, but one thing is certain, Sgt. Newman and Officer Moore put Adam’s life before their own personal safety and performed the urgently needed hands-on life-saving CPR, which made it possible for Adam to receive medical attention and for his family to be with him," Roberts said.

Adam’s father Larry Colosimo presented the Medal of Valor to the officers; Adam’s aunt and uncle Sara and Paul Colosimo also gave them a special gift.