Deputies, officers and civilians honored for acts of "selflessness"

MILWAUKEE -- They are all considered heroes by the Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office. On Tuesday, September 29th, those deputies, correctional officers and civilians were honored for actions they took during dire circumstances.

Many of those honored at Milwaukee's Pfister Hotel on Tuesday performed life-saving CPR. Two deputies talked a suicidal man from jumping off the Hoan Bridge. And then there is Correctional Officer Shameeka Collins.

Collins received the Commitment to Excellence Award with 19-year-old Chandler Long by her side. Collins is credited with rushing to Long's aid -- and getting help after finding him severely injured by a hit-and-run vehicle near 59th and Clarke in July.

Shameeka Collins, Chandler Long

"I got off the bus stop and I was skating down the road to my house and the car hit me," said Long.

"I knew not to move him. And I held his hand and I told him that, 'You're not alone. Help is on the way.' And so I stayed by his side," said Collins.

"I'm grateful that she was around that day. I'm thankful that she stopped and helped me out," said Long.

It was an added bonus for Collins -- since Tuesday's meeting was the first time she had seen Long since that July incident.

Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke

Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke says whether for rendering medical assistance or jumping in a lagoon to rescue a drowning swimmer, all of the recipients are deserving of the honor.

"It's more about who they are as people, who they are as individuals. Their selflessness. Their commitment. Their sacrifice. Their civic duty," said Clarke. "We don't see too much of that anymore."

All of the recipients FOX6 News spoke with on Tuesday said they did what they did because it was the right thing to do.

As for Long, the hit-and-run driver in his case has never been caught. The suspect was driving a light-colored car with a sun roof. The vehicle had major damage to the windshield and front end.

Suspect vehicle in hit-and-run crash involving Chandler Long