People Week of 10/05/20

Troopers, officers
recognized for
for lifesaving efforts
Ohio State Highway Patrol Sgt. Katheryn M. Banks, Trooper Casimir A. Von Sacken and Perrysburg Police Division Officers Jesse A. Gomez and Brad A. Dayton were honored Sept. 21 for their quick thinking and lifesaving efforts following a devastating crash earlier this year.
Each was presented with a certificate of recognition at the Bowling Green Post on behalf of Col. Richard S. Fambro, Patrol superintendent.
In the late hours of May 13, troopers from the Bowling Green Post and officers from the Perrysburg Police Division responded to an injury crash on the ramp from SR 25 to Interstate 75 in the city of Perrysburg. Officer Gomez and Officer Dayton were the first to arrive on scene and found Travis McDowell lying on the ground. McDowell had traveled off the left side of the road, was thrown from his motorcycle and struck a highway traffic sign. He sustained traumatic and near-fatal injuries as a result of the crash.
Trooper Von Sacken and Sgt. Banks arrived on scene as Officers Gomez and Dayton were applying tourniquets to stop the bleeding from McDowell’s right leg and right arm. Trooper Von Sacken and Sgt. Banks also provided lifesaving actions by immediately applying a tourniquet to control the bleeding from his severely injured left leg.
“The swift actions and teamwork by these officers and troopers are a true testament to their dedication to service,” said Capt. John C. Altman, Findlay District commander. “Mr. McDowell is living proof of the troopers’ and officers’ ability to call upon their training when it was most critical.”
“I am honored to serve alongside some of the best law enforcement professionals in Perrysburg and in Wood County,” said Perrysburg Police Division Chief Patrick L. Jones. “Their actions ultimately saved Travis’ life. These officers and troopers were able to stabilize him until emergency services personnel could get him to a hospital.”

“Community Responsibility Honoree”
Wendy Pestrue, J.D., president and CEO of United Way of Greater Toledo (UWGT), was recognized as the “Community Responsibility Honoree” at the Girl Scouts of Western Ohio’s annual Women of Distinction awards ceremony, held virtually on Oct. 1.
“Outstanding leadership starts with being collaborative, having supreme self-awareness and a tenacity to always ‘do the right thing.’ Wendy exemplifies all these leadership characteristics. I cannot think of anyone more deserving of the Girl Scouts Women of Distinction than Wendy Pestrue,” said James Kamsickas, chairman and CEO of Dana Incorporated.
Pestrue assumed the position of president and CEO of UWGT in early 2018. In this role, she brought more than 20 years of nonprofit experience to the organization, with expertise in program development and fundraising at notable institutions such as The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Temple University College of Medicine, Defiance College and Bon Secours Health System.
Under her guidance, she and her staff raised over a million dollars through private funds or grants for UWGT’s Emergency Response Fund, which has allocated financial resources to local organizations or community-based projects to serve those in need during this difficult time.