Bureaucracy at its "finest".

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Lifesaver cop falls on hard times after injury

Shelby Township resident denied pay because he was hurt in off-duty rescue

PUBLISHED: July 22, 2004

By Gordon Wilczynski
Macomb Daily Staff Writer

Friends of Hamtramck Police Officer Christopher Garon believe he should be hailed as a hero instead of getting the short end of the stick from his financially troubled city.


The city has refused to pay Garon while he recovers from a back injury sustained while saving an ice fisherman and his son from drowning in Lake St. Clair 18 months ago. The city has claimed Garon was off duty and not performing official duties as a Hamtramck officer during the rescue.

Garon, 40, and a Shelby Township resident, and the Hamtramck Fraternal Order of Police believe Garon is a police officer 24 hours a day and should receive workers' compensation for the injury sustained Jan. 19, 2003.

The Thin Blue Line of Michigan, a police organization, will hold a fund-raiser Friday to raise funds to offset Garon's lost wages. The 5 p.m. event will take place at the Warren Fraternal Order of Police Lodge at 11304 14 Mile Road and will feature food, drinks and music. Tickets are $20. Call (313) 876-7827.

Garon's worker's compensation attorney, David Cooper of Lansing, said Garon lost his family income because he saved someone.

"We're barely making it from week to week," said Garon, whose wife, Amy, works full time to help make ends meet for the couple and their three children. "I never thought twice about saving these people, and I would do it again."

The near drowning occurred near the Department of Natural Resources access east of Rosso Highway in Anchor Bay. A sheriff's deputy responded to the call in which Michael Goode of Harrison Township and a younger boy, believed to be his son, fell through ice while snowmobiling.

Garon, who was ice fishing nearby, pulled Goode and the boy from the water. Garon said he hurt his back while pulling Goode out of the water.

"The older guy was heavy and it wasn't easy pulling him out of the water," Garon said. "I felt something snap in my back and I just thought I pulled a muscle. You know, I had all of that adrenaline going and all I could think of was to get this guy out of the water before he froze to death. Eight days later when I went to work, I couldn't walk any more."

Bill Barnett, Hamtramck city controller, said it appears a judge will decide whether Garon is entitled to compensation for the off-duty injury. He said the city believes Garon should not be paid because he was not working for the city at the time of his injury.

"A judge will determine whether it falls within the guidelines of worker's compensation," said Barnett, an Eastpointe resident. "At present we are requesting Officer Garon's medical records."

Hamtramck Detective Michael Szymanski, spokesman for the police union, said the city isn't paying Garon because it cannot afford a $600,000 bill. Szymanski said the amount includes 18 months of back salary and medical treatment of five surgeries.

Szymanski said the union has filed a grievance against the city.

"If you save two people from dying in a frozen lake, isn't that acting in the capacity as a public safety officer, which Chris is?" Szymanski asked.

Garon served the city for 19 years. His late father, Al, also was a Hamtramck police officer.

"I'm not asking for $100,000 extra because I don't deserve it," said Garon. "I am only asking for the city to pay my back pay when I was off work and my doctor bills, nothing more." Donations for Garon can also be sent to: Officer C. Garon c/o TBL of Michigan, P.O. Box 415 Howell, MI 48844-0415.

 

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Denver Deputy Hurt in Rescue Attempt Now Told to File For Workers' Compensation
11/25/2004


The Associated Press

DENVER, Colo. (AP) - A Denver sheriff's deputy initially told he was ineligible for workers' compensation after trying to rescue an infant from a burning house, might be able to receive benefits after all, authorities said.

George Gatchis, 32, was nearly rendered unconscious and suffered smoke inhalation during the rescue attempt Thursday at the home day care center in Arapahoe County. He was off duty at the time, and his supervisors had told him he would have to use his personal health insurance to pay for his treatment.

On Tuesday, however, Denver Undersheriff Fred Oliva urged Gatchis to file a workers' compensation claim and said his department would support it.

"When the officer takes something like this on himself, I don't think there is a reason he shouldn't be covered," Oliva said. "We will be in full support of him before the workers' compensation board."

Denver City Attorney Cole Finegan had said he was puzzled about why Gatchis was told he could not get workers' compensation, because the review process usually takes several days.

Fire investigators have not determined the cause of the fire.

Three children and a woman escaped unharmed, but firefighters found the body of 3-month-old Reginald "Donald" King inside the house.

If he had to use his own health insurance, Gatchis would be responsible for deductibles and co-pays, while workers' compensation would cover all his medical bills. The Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 27 donated $500 to help him cover those bills.