Deputy J. Benezette #613 was on his way home from conducting an extra duty assignment at the Sheriff's Office and heard dispatch broadcast the call for service. Deputy Benezette informed dispatch that he was the closest unit to the scene and informed dispatch that he would be responding.
Upon Deputy Benezette's arrival at approximately 1042 hours, he found that the motor vehicle accident was involving two vehicles. Deputy Benezette observed that one of the vehicles involved, a silver Ford truck, was overturned in the ditch on the northeast corner of the intersection at State Route D and East 203rd Street. Deputy Benezette found the occupants of the vehicle, David P. Miller and Desiree J. Miller were trapped inside the vehicle.
Deputy Benezette discovered that Mrs. Miller was buckled in her seat, unable to get the seatbelt unbuckled and struggling to keep her head out of the water that was coming into the cab of the vehicle.
Deputy Benezette was able to cut Mrs. Miller out of her seatbelt and safely got her out of the vehicle as well. Due to Deputy Benezette's quick actions he was able to get both Mr. Miller and Mrs. Miller out of the vehicle and prevented Mrs. Miller from possibly drowning before EMS (Emergency Medical Services) arrived on scene several minutes later.
Deputy Benezette's actions show his dedication to duty under the most extreme circumstances, were in keeping with the Sheriff's Office mission statement and reflect distinct credit upon himself, as well as the Cass County Sheriff's Office.
