Four Lakewood, Colo., lifeguards were recently honored for saving a man's life in July 2025 at a luncheon and awards ceremoy in Denver. Red Cross of Colorado and Wyoming Regional Chief Executive Officer Andrea Miller, far left, joined Terrence Micciche-Hall, Ian Jenner and Claire Tompkins at a luncheon celebrating their lifesaving awards; Gabriella Orizaba was not able to attend the event, but was also honored with a lifesaving award for her efforts.
By Brian Szabelski, American Red Cross
The Red Cross of Mile High Area recently recognized four Lakewood lifeguards - Terrence Micciche-Hall, Ian Jenner, Claire Tompkins and Gabriella Orizaba - for saving the life of a man who was unresponsive in the water in July 2025.
While he was working as a lifeguard at the Carmody Recreation Center in Lakewood, Terrence was alerted by a patron that a man had suddenly become unresponsive and was face down in the water. Terrence and the patron pulled the man out of the water. Terrence then assessed the man and found that he was not breathing and had no pulse.
While the man was being pulled from the water, Ian retrieved an AED and Claire retrieved bag-valve-mask ventilation equipment. Gabriella called 911 and opened the southwest doors of the recreation center for the paramedics to enter.
Terrence gave compressions while Ian and Claire managed the man’s airway and the defibrillator. They delivered one shock to the man before paramedics arrived.
Upon arrival, paramedics took over care of the unresponsive man, who regained consciousness in the ambulance en route to the hospital.
On July 14, 2026, Terrence, Ian, Claire and Gabriella were honored with Lifesaving Awards for Professional Responders during a luncheon and presentation at the Red Cross of Colorado and Wyoming offices in Denver.
The Lifesaving Awards provide recognition for individuals and acknowledgment of the immense payoff of Red Cross safety and preparedness training — arming people with the skills and confidence needed to respond appropriately to sudden emergencies.
To learn more about the awards or make a nomination, visit the Red Cross Lifesaving Awards website. You can also learn more about Red Cross training opportunities and learn to be a lifesaver yourself.
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