Suffolk County officer honored for saving fisherman's life at sea
Officer Bill Parmenter was off-duty and on a fishing trip earlier this month when they heard a mayday call come in.
A Suffolk County police officer was honored on Tuesday for helping to save the life of a fisherman.
Officer Bill Parmenter was off duty and on a fishing trip earlier this month when they heard a mayday call come in.
Norman Orsinger, a fisherman from East Patchogue, says he was in an accident while tuna fishing.
He told News 12 a hook “shredded his legs” when a fish came on board, and he thought he was going to “bleed out.”
Parmenter, who is also a paramedic, was close enough that they were able to get to Norman’s boat quickly and apply two tourniquets to his legs to stop the bleeding.
They tried to get him back to land, but as Norman’s condition worsened, they called for help.
A Coast Guard helicopter airlifted Norman to safety, and he was treated at Stony Brook University Hospital before being released.
Officer Parmenter was honored Tuesday by the Suffolk County Legislature for his heroic efforts. Norman says he’s “very thankful” for Parmenter's help.
