VANDALIA - Michael Scarpelli has served for more than 26 years as a police officer. The Butler Twp. resident has been with the Vandalia Police Department for nearly 15 years.
Scarpelli earned the Distinguished Service Medal in April 2011 after responding to a call in about a child who stopped breathing. He performed CPR and revived the child before paramedics arrived.
"He was a near drowning victim," Scarpelli said. "Dad was giving him a bath and stepped away to get his clothing. I was a block and a half away and got there within seconds.
"The baby was blue. I started CPR and got him to cough up a little water," Scarpelli said. "I was a little nervous when I got there, but the training automatically kicked in. It is the pinnacle of my career. I was overwhelmed (by the award)."
He was also nominated as Police Officer of the Year for Montgomery County for the event and received the award in January. Scarpelli has been married 25 years and has four children. Name: Michael Scarpelli Age: 52 Hometown: Butler Twp. Branch of service, years in service: 26 years of service; 12 with Dayton Police Department and the Vandalia Police Department for 14 years How he got involved in the police work: "I was taking nursing courses at Sinclair and there was a huge wait for classes. Dayton PD had a test coming up, and that was always my second choice."
Most satisfying part of job: "Helping individuals that need help; that is satisfying. I took a domestic violence call early in my career here. The woman refused to press charges, and I talked to her about her young daughter. About two years later I got a phone call that she left the relationship and her daughter was happier than she had ever been."
Most memorable moment of service: "I like being involved with the youth and high school kids. That's a time when a lot of kids are trying to discover themselves. They need guidance, and I try to offer my advice to them."
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