Mayor Piper to present Mayor’s Certificate to Jose Ortiz

Friday, July 2, 2010

Mayor John E. Piper presented a Mayor’s Certificate to Fort Campbell soldier Specialist Jose Ortiz, with the 63rd Chemical Company, for his life-saving actions on June 18th, 2010 down at the boat ramp of McGregor Park.

Mayor Johnny Piper thanks Jose Ortiz for his service to the community.

Around 11:15pm, Jose Ortiz rescued a 58 year old suicidal woman from certain death after she drove her 1993 Mercury Topaz into the Cumberland River. Ortiz reacted without a moment of hesitation and dove into the water to rescue the vehicle occupant. The woman inside of the vehicle fought with Ortiz as he tried to get her out of the submerged vehicle through the driver’s side window.

The difficulty of removing the woman was compounded by the fact that she had her seatbelt on and caught her head as Ortiz fought to pull her out. Finally Ortiz was able to remove the woman from the vehicle and get her out of the water.