Bradenton Police Officer Honored for Saving Life

BRADENTON – Bradenton Police Officer Kenneth Simunovic has been named the Officer of the Month for Janu?ary 2016 for saving the life of a suicidal victim.

In November, officers and firefighters respond?ed to a reported structure fire. Officer Simunovic was the first to arrive and observed a female coming out of the residence. When he learned she was not a resident, he opted to check in case someone else was inside.

Officer Simunovic entered the master bed?room and noticed a towel wedged under the bathroom door. He then entered the bath?room, where he discovered an unconscious female and a burning charcoal grill, which appeared to be an attempted suicide. Officer Simunovic removed her from the home and EMS provided medical attention. Police say the woman would have likely died had Officer Simunovic not taken the initiative to immediately search the residence.