Beaufort police officer awarded life-saving ribbon for CPR event

Beaufort police officer Brandon Zuraw earned his department’s first life-saving ribbon for some quick action in February.

Zuraw, only on the force since November, pulled over a car for speeding on Boundary Street. A woman in the backseat wasn’t breathing and had no pulse, and her sister was driving her to the hospital, Zuraw said.

He called for an ambulance and gave the woman CPR until help arrived. Doctors at Beaufort Memorial Hospital credited Zuraw with saving her life.

The officer was recognized by City Council on Tuesday in front of a crowd of his colleagues and received a standing ovation.

Zuraw joined the Beaufort Police Department last year after moving from Pennsylvania. He served 10 years in the U.S. Marines and had been stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort.

“I love it down here,” Zuraw said Tuesday.

Beaufort police started awarding ribbons in 2013. Zuraw’s was the first for saving a life.

Other awards are Purple Heart, Medal of Valor, Commendable Service, Officer of the Quarter, 10-Year Safe Driving, Five-Year Safe Driving, Physical Fitness, Instructor Pin, F.T.O Pin, S.R.O Pin, and Educational Achievement.

This story was originally published March 23, 2016 at 1:18 PM with the headline "Beaufort police officer awarded life-saving ribbon for CPR event."