TRR photo by David Hulse Sullivan County Sheriff Dan Hogue, left, Deputy Peter Ramos and Public Safety Committee Chair Kathy LaBuda are pictured at last week’s presentation. (Click for larger image)

Deputy is a lifesaver

By DAVID HULSE

MONTICELLO, NY — Sullivan County Deputy Sheriff Peter Ramos saved a man’s life on June 2 and he was honored for his actions last week.

Appearing at the county legislature’s monthly meeting, Sheriff Dan Hogue recounted how Ramos had been alerted to an 11:20 p.m. fire at Rosemont Acres on Old Liberty Road. Ramos was the first responder to arrive at the fire and saw smoke billowing from a third-floor window.

Climbing the fire escape, Ramos reached the window, went inside and retrieved the sleeping resident, Alejandro Jimenez, 39. After bringing him safely down, Ramos returned to the apartment to look for other victims.

There were no others, but Ramos located the source of the fire and extinguished it before firefighters arrived at the scene, Hogue said.

Ramos was later treated for smoke inhalation at the Catskill Medical Center and released.

“Without his brave actions, there would have been loss of life and hundreds of thousands of dollars in property losses,” Hogue said. “In 42 years in law enforcement, I’ve found that men like him are one in 100, and he is the second we’ve recognized this year. We’re very fortunate to have him.”

Legislator and Public Safety Committee Chair Kathy LaBuda joined Hogue in presenting a certificate of special recognition to Deputy Ramos.