Foundation Awards Norwalk Sheriff's Detective for caring for MedicAlert member with autism who wandered away from home

04/10/2012

The MedicAlert Foundation recognized a detective of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Norwalk Station for coming to the aid of a MedicAlert Foundation member. MedicAlert Foundation Board Member, Tom Levin, presented an Extraordinary Meritorious Service Award to Detective Mark Christiansen this afternoon at the Norwalk Sheriff's Station, 12335 Civic Center Drive, Norwalk.



Detective Christiansen was responsible for caring for an adult MedicAlert member with autism who wandered away from home. Detective Christiansen's recognition and response to the member's MedicAlert ID enabled him to instantly access the member's medical history and to identify the patient's needs. MedicAlert's emergency response team worked with Detective Christiansen to ensure that the member was safely returned home.



The MedicAlert Foundation Extraordinary Meritorious Service Award honors first responders who have recognized the MedicAlert medical ID and contacted MedicAlert's 24/7 Live Emergency Response Service Center to access vital medical and identification information to provide the best care and services for members of MedicAlert Foundation.



Detective Christiansen has described his actions after receiving a call about a man wandering the campus of Norwalk High School:



"School security advised me that the individual was cooperative, however unable to speak. I initially tried to get him to write down his name or any information regarding who he was. He was unable to perform this task either," explains Detective Christiansen.



"While attempting to communicate with the individual, I noticed his MedicAlert Bracelet. I called the number and provided the information to the operator. The operator provided me with an address for a nursing facility. The nursing staff stated he had never walked away from the facility before and were pleased we found him unharmed."



About the Award Recipient



Detective Mark Christiansen has served as Deputy Sheriff for the past 15 years and is presently assigned to the Norwalk Station where he has been for the last 12 years. Detective Christiansen's duties include the investigation of crimes ranging from theft, identify theft, burglary, robbery, assaults and attempted murder. He has been involved in the arrests of over 400 people in the Los Angeles County area for related crimes.



Visit www.medicalert.org for more information about the MedicAlert Foundation



YOUR CITY TV VIDEOS: LASD Sheriff Lee Baca and dignitaries recognize Detective Mark Christiansen:



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w1G1RdW-RoU



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_FntKQGGud4&feature=relmfu



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3TcD4LAbyys&feature=relmfu





For questions or information, please contact LASD Norwalk Sheriff's Station Lieutenant Jim Tatreau at (562) 466-5412 or Detective Mark Christiansen at 562-466-5419.

Tuesday April 10th, 2012 :: 06:55 p.m. PDT



Nixle story: http://nixle.com/alert/4811416/





Written by Sergeant Jeff Dusky

Norwalk Sheriff's Station

Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department

12335 Civic Center Drive,

Norwalk, CA 90650

562-863-8711



Forwarded by

Deputy Lillian Peck

Captain Mike Parker

Sheriff's Headquarters Bureau Newsroom

Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department

4700 Ramona Boulevard,

Monterey Park, CA 91754

323-267-4800

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