Trooper Jennings receives Lifesaving Award

ALAMOSA — Colorado State Patrol Trooper Adam Jennings on Tuesday was awarded the Red Cross Lifesaving Award, one of the highest awards given by the American Red Cross to an individual who saves or sustains a life.

Eric Myers, executive director of the Red Cross of Western Colorado, presented the award to Trooper Jennings in the presence of fellow troopers at the CSP patrol center in Alamosa. Bill Werner, Red Cross disaster program manager for the San Luis Valley, was also on hand for the presentation.

Trooper Jennings’ quick actions on the afternoon of September 12 saved an infant’s life. On September 12 at approximately 12:30 a.m., Trooper Jennings, trained in American Red Cross First Aid/CPR/AED, saved the life of a newborn baby by the side of Highway 160 in Alamosa. Trooper Jennings was dispatched after a panicked father called 9-1-1 to report that his baby was not breathing shortly after being born in the back seat of the car.

After examining the child, Trooper Jennings recognized that the baby had amniotic fluid in its mouth, and because of his training and because he had encountered a similar experience previously, he knew what to do. Trooper Jennings immediately cleared the baby’s airway, allowing the newborn to breath normally.

The skills learned in the American Red Cross Preparedness and Health and Safety Services course helped to save the life of this child.

“You are a humble hero,” Myers told Jennings when he presented the award. “It warms my heart to know you were able to save a life.”

Myers said troopers’ good deeds too often go unnoticed, so it was nice to give recognition to someone who performed such a heroic act.

“He’s phenomenal and he’s very humble,” added CSP Captain David Rollins.

Jennings, who works with a human and drug trafficking interdiction unit, thanked his command staff and coworkers for their support.

Caption: With fellow Colorado State Patrol (CSP) troopers and Red Cross staff on hand for the presentation, Eric Myers, executive director of the Red Cross of Western Colorado, presents the Red Cross Lifesaving Award to Colorado State Patrol Trooper Adam Jennings, center, on Tuesday at the CSP patrol center in Alamosa. From left are Cameron Decker, Rodney Noga, Charles Sanchez, Adam Jennings, Eric Myers, CSP Captain David Rollins, Bill Werner (Red Cross disaster program manager for the San Luis Valley) and Steven Johnson. Courier photo by Ruth Heide