“Sgt. Saviers followed the disorientated burn victim inside the unit trying to get him out of danger; while doing this, a loud explosion occurred in the garage,” prompting Sgt. Saviers to grab the burn victim and physically restrain him to be able to remove him from the unit.“Sgt. Saviers unselfish and courageous actions, his disregard for his own safety while helping others in extreme danger, is credited with saving the burn victim from further injury or death,” and making Sgt. Saviers a deserving candidate for the POAVC Medal of Valor, Sgt. Cordero noted.In a 1989 interview, Sgt. Saviers, who was raised in a law enforcement family, said he was attracted to his career by the “variety of experiences which officers are involved in.” Sgt. Saviers added that the most rewarding aspects of his career is “entering into an event, which is in chaos, such as a disturbance, accident or medical emergency, and leaving when order has been restored or persons have been assisted.”“Sgt. Saviers has never failed to place others’ safety above his own, and the incident he was honored for demonstrates that perfectly,” said Sgt. Cordero.
SPPD Sgt. Michael Saviers honored with POAVC Medal of Valor
May 10, 2002
Santa Paula News
Santa Paula Police Sgt. Michael Saviers was honored by the Police Officers Association of Ventura County (POAVC) for his heroic actions in evacuating a burning condominium and saving the life of a man who ran back into his burning unit.
By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesSanta Paula Police Sgt. Michael Saviers was honored by the Police Officers Association of Ventura County (POAVC) for his heroic actions in evacuating a burning condominium and saving the life of a man who ran back into his burning unit.Sgt. Saviers, a SPPD veteran who joined the department in 1980 after serving as a Reserve Officer for four years, was honored by POAVC April 20th at the Marriot at River Ridge in Oxnard. Also honored were Santa Paulans Patti Casparro and Rocky Manzano, who received the POAVC Citizens Medal of Merit for their quick reaction in an emergency that saved the life of former mayor Jim Garfield.According to SPPD Sgt. Ismael Cordero, a POAVC Board Director, on March 19, Sgt. Saviers arrived on scene of the condominium complex fire in the 200 block of West Santa Barbara Street. Sgt. Saviers evacuated six units, and saw one resident - who had received second and third degree burns - being escorted from the scene: suddenly, the man bolted and ran back into his unit through a side door.“The unit by now was engulfed by thick black smoke and had started burning intensely in the garage and to the units upstairs directly above as well as a vehicle parked in the garage,” said Sgt. Cordero.
