MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2001 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Cuevas, Gollott, Dawkins, White (29th), Johnson (19th), Hewes

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING MEMBERS OF THE HARRISON COUNTY VOLUNTEER FIRE SERVICE AND SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT FOR THEIR HEROIC ACTION IN SAVING THE LIFE OF A 3-YEAR OLD BOY.

WHEREAS, three Harrison County volunteer firefighters and a deputy sheriff on October 11, 2000, who helped pull a 3-year-old boy from a burning mobile home were awarded plaques this week from the Harrison County Board of Supervisors; and

WHEREAS, the child, Coleton Ritmanich, was playing inside while his grandmother, Delores Knee, took the garbage out at their McDowell Road home in Saucier on October 11, and when she tried to go back inside, flames, intense heat and thick smoke kept her from entering the home; and

WHEREAS, while enroute to the scene firefighters responding from the Wortham Road Station, who were the first to arrive, could see large plumes of black smoke emerging from the fire, over the tree line of vision; and

WHEREAS, fire personnel responding were: George Dangler, tanker truck; Herman Hutchinson, fire engine; George Mixon, fire department vehicle; and Deputy Sheriff Gene DeDeaux was preceding the fire apparatus to the scene of the fire; and

WHEREAS, members of the Harrison County Fire Services arrived immediately and found Coleton unconscious. Firefighters George Dangler and George Mixon hosed down the living room and broke a bedroom window so they could hand the boy out to firefighter Herman Hutchinson; and

WHEREAS, Mixon performed CPR for infants, and the boy began to take a few breaths but still had no pulse. Coleton began breathing on his own after Mixon performed adult CPR, and made a full recovery; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize the heroic action in the line of duty by these public servants, whose exemplary action demonstrates the inherent danger in this line of work and brings honor to their department:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend the members of the Harrison County Volunteer Fire Service and Sheriff's Department for their heroic action in saving the life of 3-year old Coleton Ritmanich on October 11, 2000, and wish them continued success in their official responsibilities and future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be presented to George Dangler, Herman Hutchinson, George Mixon and Gene DeDeaux and be made available to the Harrison County Board of Supervisors and the Capitol Press Corps.