Photo credit – Matt Meduri
An East Patchogue fisherman is alive and well thanks to the life-saving efforts of Suffolk County Police officer William Parmenter.
Parmenter, of Smithtown, was out fishing about eighty miles south of Hampton Bays last month. At around 2:00p.m., Parmenter received a mayday call over the marine radio from a nearby fisherman. Parmenter, a paramedic who was carrying his medical supplies with him the day of his fishing trip, contacted the ship through the marine radio and set out to his location five miles away.
The fisherman, Norman Orsinger, 66, of East Patchogue, was found by Parmenter to have already lost a large quantity of blood, with multiple lacerations to his legs and several fishhooks still lodged in his skin after attempting to reel in a yellowfin tuna that was still thrashing under the victim’s leg. Parmenter rendered first aid and radioed both the SCPD Aviation Section and the U.S. Coast Guard to provide both entities with updates on Orsinger’s status.
The Coast Guard then transported Orsinger to Islip MacArthur Airport, where he was then taken to Stony Brook Hospital for further treatment. Orsinger was released the next day.
Parmenter was given the highest civilian honor in New York State, the Liberty Medal, by Senators Mario Mattera (R-St. James) and Dean Murray (R-East Patchogue) (pictured above). In attendance at the ceremony at the Police Benevolent Association (PBA) Headquarters in Brentwood on Monday afternoon was Congressman Nick LaLota (R, NY-01) and Suffolk County PBA President Lou Civello.
“Anyone who has traveled Long Island’s waters knows how treacherous they can be, and how isolated you are when you’re out there, especially if you’re out there on a boat by yourself,” said Civello (pictured below). “And I think his [Parmenter’s] actions really display what sets being a police officer apart from so many other professions. If you’re a carpenter, you’re probably not walking around with your hammer in your back pocket when you’re not working. However, our police officers routinely carry their firearms off duty. And not only did this officer carry his firearm, but he had the forethought to carry his life-saving medical equipment.”
Civello said that when someone is in a situation as Orsinger was, especially alone, “you either stop the bleeding or you die.”
“If it wasn’t for this officer’s actions while off-duty, if it wasn’t for him being prepared, thinking ahead, having his medical equipment, and considering himself never-off duty, then this individual would be dead,” said Civello.
“We are fortunate to have some of the best public servants in this department [SCPD],” said Senator Mattera, of whom Parmenter is a constituent. “Officer Parmenter’s actions while off-duty are worthy of the New York State Liberty Medal. It’s the only award that recognizes heroic and life-saving acts. You all showed all Long Islanders that our men and women in blue are committed to safety to all of our residents, even when you removed your uniform, enjoying well-deserved time off.”
“To protect and serve: Suffolk County is blessed to have 1,700 fine, selfless, brave officers who took an oath to protect and serve our great county,” said Congressman LaLota. “That oath doesn’t go away when somebody’s not in uniform and they’re having fun on the water themselves. The personification of that sacrifice right here, Officer Parmenter, displayed that sacrifice when he put his own safety at risk to ensure that one of our fellow citizens was protected at his time of need.”
LaLota remarked on Parmenter’s previous service in the Coast Guard, making him “ready for this incident.”
“The folks who are recruiting individuals into our Suffolk Police Department are doing the right thing by ensuring folks who have worn a military uniform have the opportunity to continue their service by weathering the Suffolk County PD uniform,” said LaLota.”
LaLota (pictured above) presented Parmenter with a folded American flag that has previously flown over the U.S. Capitol, a token of Congress’ recognition of someone who “goes above and beyond the call of duty by sacrificing themselves to ensure the safety of our public and our community.”
Senator Murray (pictured below), of whom Orsinger is a constituent, also spoke in recognition of Parmenter.
“He [Parmenter] got up at 1:00a.m. to start his fishing trip. It was a long, long day already when that call came in,” said Murray. “But he didn’t hesitate. He sprung right into action like it was second-nature, because it is like second-nature to our officers.”
Officer Parmenter was also honored by the Suffolk County Legislature at their last general meeting at the end of July.
The Messenger thanks Officer Parmenter for his selfless act of bravery and for embodying the core values that every member of the SCPD should strive to attain.
