January 27, 2003

Lansing - The Michigan State Board of Awards is pleased to announce that Trooper Mathew J. LaBonte of the Reed City Post has been awarded the Michigan State Police Lifesaving Award. He is credited with administering first aid to save the life of another.

While off-duty on June 20, 2002, in Burdell Township, LaBonte came upon a rollover accident. After instructing a stopped motorist to call 911, LaBonte found the driver pinned inside with her arm between the vehicle and the road surface. She was unconscious, had a weak pulse and was not breathing. With the assistance of other stopped motorists, LaBonte pushed the vehicle off the victim. At this time he repositioned the victim’s head to establish an airway, which resulted in the victim being able to take shallow breaths. LaBonte then maintained first aid until the arrival of EMS.

The Michigan State Police Board of Awards recognizes that LaBonte’s quick actions and knowledge of first aid techniques saved the victim’s life.

LaBonte enlisted with the department in 2000, and graduated as a member of the 119^th Trooper Recruit School. He was assigned to the Reed City Post. A native of Escanaba, LaBonte currently lives in Tustin.