BOKEELIA, Fla. (NOVEMBER 8, 2023) – On November 7, 2023, the South Florida Chapter of the American Red Cross recognized Lee County Park Ranger Supervisor Chad Roy with Lifesaving Awards for using lifesaving skills to save a life.

Emergencies can happen at any time: in the grocery store, at a family gathering, at the community pool, or even at your own home or office. But regardless of when and where they occur, emergency situations usually have one thing in common: a crowd of people standing around, watching someone in distress—wondering who should act and trying to remember what to do.

On July 17, 2023, while on patrol, Chad Roy, Ranger Supervisor for Lee County, heard on the radio that the Lee County Sherrif’s Office was searching for a missing person in the area between Phillips Park and the elementary school. Aviation was in the air and a blood hound was on the ground. Roy contacted one of the deputies, Deputy Berg, who was involved in the search, to get a description of the individual in case he was at one of the parks. Roy also sent out a BOLO (be on the lookout). 

Deputy Berg asked Roy to meet her at the missing person's address so she could show him a photo of the missing individual on her computer. Roy met with the deputies and was asked to assist in searching a hard-to-reach area behind the missing person's home via ATV.  

Roy began searching the area behind the residence, elementary school, and Publix. At this point most of the initial search was winding down. The elderly man had been missing since 8pm the night before. After an hour and a half of searching, Roy picked up a track that matched the type of shoe that the missing person was wearing. He called Deputy Berg and asked her to assist at this point. The K-9 was no longer on scene, so the search continued on foot with a drone in the air above. As Roy continued to utilize his tracking skills, losing and regaining the trail, he found an area in the tall grass that had been matted down near the edge of the mangroves.  

“At this point I observed two Crocs matching the individual’s shoes,” said Roy. “This was approximately 70 yards from where I began tracking.” Roy continued into the mangroves and observed a naked man lying in the sticks and mud approximately 30 yards in. Roy approached the man who appeared to be motionless and called his name. The man slowly raised his head, and it was confirmed that he was still alive. Roy ran to the ATV for water and attempted to get the man hydrated while waiting for EMS to arrive.  

Matlacha Fire and Rescue utilized their UTV to get the victim to the access road behind Publix. The individual's family was notified, and he was transported to Cape Coral Hospital. EMS and the Sheriff's office informed that the man probably would have died if Roy hadn't found him. The drone had already searched that location earlier in the day. 

Due to the quick actions of Roy, he was able to save a life. 

For their incredible act of service and quick actions, Ranger Roy has been awarded the American Red Cross Certificate of Extraordinary Personal Action. This award is bestowed upon individuals who step up during a time of emergency to alleviate suffering and save or sustain a life.

“Emergencies can happen at any time; in the grocery store, at a family gathering, at the community pool, in your home; or deep in the mangroves of Southwest Florida. The actions of Ranger Roy demonstrate the highest degree of concern of one human being for another who is in distress,” said Jill Palmer, executive director, Florida Gulf Coast to Heartland Chapter, “Through his efforts he was able to alleviate human suffering and help save a life.” 

Take a First Aid and CPR Course online to learn what to do in case emergency help is delayed.

A variety of online, blended (online and in-person skills session), and classroom courses are also available. To learn more and get started, visit redcross.org/takeaclass.

Nominate Someone
If you know of a local hero in your community or group of individuals who used Red Cross skills or training to save or sustain a life, you can nominate them at LifesavingAwards.org.

About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org/southflorida or visit us on Facebook or X at @SFLRedCross.