THREE SBSO DEPUTIES RECEIVE KIWANIS LIFESAVER AWARD
Three St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office deputies received the Kiwanis Club of St. Bernard-Arabi Sammie Catalanotto LifeSaver Award at a banquet hosted by Kiwanis this evening (Jan. 10) at Rocky and Carlo’s Restaurant in Chalmette, Sheriff James Pohlmann said.
Recipients are Sgt. Barry Johnson, Dep. Christopher Battaglia and Dep. Corey Bordelon.
These three deputies were awarded this honor for saving the life of two people who were trapped on the roof of their apartment as it was engulfed in flames last November, the Sheriff said.
On Nov. 19, 2022, shortly after 7:30 a.m., the Sheriff said, deputies responded to a call in reference to a house fire in the 100 block of East St. Bernard Highway with two subjects trapped on the second story of the residence.
When deputies arrived on the scene, the rear area of the residence was fully engulfed in flames and smoke, and a male and female subject were observed to be on the second story balcony, with no avenue for immediate escape.
At this time, Dep. Christopher Battaglia, Dep. Corey Bordelon and Sgt. Barry Johnson relocated to the neighboring business where Dep. Bordelon and Sgt. Johnson lifted Dep. Battaglia, assisting him onto the rooftop.
Dep. Battaglia made contact with the subjects on the residence balcony, at which time the male subject assisted the elderly female over the railing. Dep. Battaglia was then able to grab onto the female subject and assist her from the railing, across the alleyway and onto the rooftop of the nearby business, using his body to break the female’s fall. The male subject was also able to climb to safety.
Dep. Battaglia and the female were then able to safely climb down a ladder provided by the St. Bernard Fire Department.
Here’s a little background on each deputy’s career in law enforcement.
Dep. Christopher Battaglia, who started his career in law enforcement in 2018, is a member of the Field Operations Bureau Patrol Division’s 2nd Platoon.
In 2019, he graduated from Police Officers Standards in Training or P.O.S.T. police academy, and in 2021 he earned a coveted spot on the Special Weapons and Tactics or S.W.A.T. team.
Dep. Battaglia comes from a family of law enforcement officers who also served with the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office. His father worked in the Patrol Division for more than 15 years and his mother worked in the Communications and Corrections Divisions for more than five years.
As the son of two police officers, Dep. Battaglia said it is just in his blood.
“I wanted to become a police officer because I feel it’s always been my calling to serve the great people of my hometown,” he said. “Being the difference in my community is what I love most about my job.”
Dep. Battaglia said he didn’t hesitate to make his way on the roof adjacent to the burning apartment building.
“During that time, my only thoughts were preservation of life,” he said.
Dep. Battaglia said he was glad he was in the right place at the right time.
“It’s a great feeling when you’re able to help someone in their time of need, especially during something as dangerous as a house fire,” he said. “I feel thankful to have the health and attributes to serve people in their darkest hours.”
Receiving the Lifesaver Award is truly an honor for Dep. Battaglia.
“I believe it’s one of the most prestigious awards you can receive in law enforcement,” he said.
This is Dep. Battaglia’s second time receiving the Kiwanis LifeSaver Award. He also received it in 2021 for his efforts to save an elderly man who nearly drowned following an automobile accident.
Dep. Corey Bordelon has been involved in law enforcement for seven years.
He has been a member of the Field Operations Bureau Patrol Division’s 2nd Platoon for four years. Prior to joining Patrol, Dep. Bordelon worked in the Corrections Division at the parish prison for three years.
Dep. Bordelon is a 2017 graduate of Police Officers Standards in Training or P.O.S.T. police academy, and is a member of the Special Weapons and Tactics or S.W.A.T. team.
He said he has wanted to be a police officer for as long as he can remember.
“It has always been a dream of mine since I was a kid to become one to help others,” he said.
On the morning of the fire, Dep. Bordelon realized they needed to act swiftly and their only option was for him and Sgt. Johnson to hoist Dep. Battaglia onto the roof of the building adjacent to the fire.
“We needed to get someone up there quickly so the man and woman did not die of smoke inhalation or something worse,” he said. “It feels good to know we were able to save someone’s life.”
Dep. Bordelon said is honored to be receiving the LifeSaver Award.
“It really means a lot to me,” he said. “It reassures me that the job I’m out here doing is all worth it at the end of the day.”
Sgt. Barry Johnson, a 14-year veteran of law enforcement, joined the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office in 2009. He also is a graduate of the Police Officers Standards and Training or P.O.S.T. police academy.
Sgt. Johnson, who currently serves as a supervisor in the Field Operations Bureau’s Patrol Division 2nd Platoon, said he expressed an interest in being a police officer at a very young age.
“According to my mother, I have been expressing that I wanted to be a police officer since I was 4 years old,” he said. “I guess I never outgrew the dream.”
In addition to helping Dep. Bordelon hoist Dep. Battaglia on the nearby roof during the fire, Sgt. Johnson also radioed the St. Bernard Fire Department and requested they bring a ladder which was used to help the man and woman safely from the roof.
When asked what he loves most about his job, Sgt. Johnson said it’s his fellow officers that make a difference for him.
“The camaraderie within the department and community,” he said. “St. Bernard Parish is where I live, but the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office is my home and my family.”
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