The Miami-Dade Police Department (MDPD) is pleased to announce Sergeant Marvin Freels and Officers Bryan Rudy and Juan Crespo have been awarded Bronze Medal of Valor and Lifesaving Awards and selected to share Distinguished Officer of the Month honors for November 2007.  Sergeant Freels joined the Department in January of 1985, Officer Crespo in September of 1985, and Officer Rudy in April of 1984.  All are assigned to the Special Patrol Bureau.

On July 24, 2007, severe thunderstorms struck along the waters off North Miami.  Wind gusts reported in excess of 40 knots, along with heavy lightning strikes and rough seas, engulfed the area.  A call was received at the Marine Patrol Unit (MPU) office at Pelican Harbor Marina of a vessel in distress.  The caller reported that a 25-foot, Catalina sailboat was disabled and adrift in the storm and six small children were aboard.

Due to the storm’s severity, and out of concern for the small children, it was decided to attempt a rescue.  Sergeant Marvin Freels and Officers Bryan Rudy and Juan Crespo left Pelican Harbor Marina in a patrol vessel in the middle of the storm.  The Catalina was located adrift with its engine inoperative.  Additionally, the vessel’s rudder had snapped completely in half from the sea conditions and she was completely incapacitated.  A single adult was observed in the cockpit area.

Officer Crespo maneuvered the MPU vessel alongside the disabled Catalina, at which time several small, distraught children, with life vests on, began to emerge from the cabin.  Sergeant Freels and Officer Rudy quickly began lifting and transferring the six children, along with the vessel’s captain, from the sailboat to the MPU vessel, as Officer Crespo struggled to keep the rescue vessel in position.  Due to the prevailing conditions, the Catalina was anchored and left on the scene. All of the occupants were taken to Pelican Harbor Marina’s office safely and uninjured, and the children’s parents were notified.  It was revealed that the children were in a summer camp program and had been taken out for a day of sailing.

Despite the personal safety issues and laboring under these extremely dangerous conditions, the teamwork and exemplary lifesaving skills of these seasoned veterans averted a potential tragedy.  They have brought great honor to the Department and the entire law enforcement profession.

Prepared by:
Sandra G. Kramer
Media Relations Bureau