Sheriff’s office recognizes dozens for community service

Published 10:33 am Thursday, January 22, 2009

SNOHOMISH – Genelle Ackley’s life-saving skills came in handy.

She was driving home one day in February 2008 when she saw a toddler run out onto Roosevelt Road.

Seconds later, Ackley said, she heard a loud noise when a full-size pickup truck struck the two-year-old boy.

Ackley and another bystander, Tiffany Singer, rushed to the boy. Singer called 911 and Ackley performed CPR. She kept the boy alive until medics arrived.

For saving that boy’s life, Ackley and Singer received recognition from the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office during its annual awards ceremony Wednesday night .

“Not only were Ms. Ackley and Ms. Singer heroes that day, they were excellent witnesses, too,” sheriff’s spokeswoman Rebecca Hover said. “They provided detectives with the details they needed to piece together the event.”

Ackley said she received first-aid training as part of her job driving school bus for the Monroe School District.

“Everybody was standing there,” Ackley recalled the horrific accident. “I stopped and got out. Somebody needed to see if he was breathing.”

Several dozen other Snohomish County residents and sheriff’s deputies got certificates and letters commending them for serving their community.

More than 200 people gathered at Cavelero Mid High School in Everett to cheer for their friends and colleagues.

“It was awesome to see these officers and regular people get awards. All their stories were great,” Ackley said.

Ackley’s family, along with the rest of the crowd, applauded as Sheriff John Lovick shook the woman’s hand and passed her a framed certificate.