North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey on Wednesday will honor first responders and a family member who teamed up to save a Raleigh man’s life after he collapsed while mowing his yard.
Commissioner Causey, in his role as State Fire Marshal, will present SAVE Awards and Commissioner’s Awards during a ceremony in front of the Albemarle Building, which houses the N.C. Department of Insurance, at 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 16. The Albemarle Building is located at 325 N. Salisbury St., Raleigh, N.C. 27601.
Jim Sink was in his backyard mowing in April 2020 when he suddenly collapsed. A neighbor alerted family members to Sink’s condition, and Sink’s stepdaughter, Lauren Roth, administered CPR until first responders arrived on the scene. Ms. Roth worked in the Safe Kids NC program at the Office of State Fire Marshal at the time. From there Wake County EMS and Raleigh firefighters took over and took him to the hospital.
After taking Sink to the hospital, members of the Raleigh Fire Department crew returned to the residence to finish cutting the grass and stow the lawn equipment.
Sink’s wife, Marla Sink, who is deputy commissioner for communications at the Department of Insurance, was grateful for the extra care of first responders and firefighters to save her husband’s life and complete his chores.
“I was so appreciative about that,” Ms. Sink said. “It was one fewer thing for me to worry about in that situation.”
Commissioner Causey will award Ms. Roth along with first responders Jeff Doriguzzi, Jen Forsythe, Andy Hill, Bertice Jones, Nick Naylor and Rick Reynoso SAVE Awards on Wednesday. SAVE Awards are given to professionals who go above and beyond the call of duty in saving a life.
Raleigh firefighters – Lt. David Stanton, Senior Jeff Wardrick, 1st Class Marshall WrennS, Capt. Chris Townsend, Lt. Randall Schmidt, Lt. Anthony Capps and Senior Johnny Dotson – will be given the Commissioner’s Award as well as the SAVE Awards. The Commissioner’s Award recognizes the outstanding efforts of these firefighters.