ROCKLAND — Rockland Police Officer William Smith and Edward Colson Jr. and his son, Brandon, both of South Thomaston, were honored for saving a man who suffered a heart attack, according to a news release from Police Chief Bruce Boucher.

Smith and Edward Colson Jr. were awarded the Life Saving Award by the Maine Chiefs of Police Association at the organization's annual awards banquet Feb. 3 in South Portland. Brandon Colson was recognized by the Rockland Police Department Feb. 10.

The Colsons are both firefighters with the South Thomaston Fire Department.

The Maine Chiefs of Police Association’s Life Saving award is awarded to any person, who takes an action that results in the saving of a human life. The life of the person saved must have been in peril and immediate jeopardy. The action by the nominee is not limited to the application of medical training, and the nominee is not required to be present at the scene of the incident to be considered for this award.

At the annual banquet held by the association, individuals from Maine are recognized for going beyond what is expected in such a manner as to bring distinguished recognition to their profession or the community they represent. They are also recognized for an act or deed that exemplifies bravery and/or sacrifice above beyond what is normal to promote the quality of life in our society.

On January 16, 2016, Edward Colson Jr. and his son Brandon, were traveling in their vehicle through the intersection of Park and Main Streets in Rockland. They were alerted by a woman on the side of the street who was standing over a man, lying prone on the side walk. They later learned that the man had been shoveling snow. Edward Colson stopped the vehicle and Brandon exited and ran to the man. The man was unconscious and not breathing. At this time, they began administering CPR to the unconscious man.

Smith, who was on duty, was then dispatched by the Knox Regional Communications Center. They advised him of the situation about a man suffering a life threatening medical emergency. When Smith arrived at the scene, he observed the male, later identified as Daniel Allen, on the ground, unresponsive, receiving CPR from Edward Colson. Smith made sure that CPR was being administered correctly in order to ensure that Allen would have the best chance of survival. Upon the arrival of Rockland EMS, Smith continued performing CPR with Edward Colson until EMS was able to use a defibrillator to get Allen's heart beating.

All actions taken by the Colsons and Smith were the proper response to this situation and instrumental in reviving Allen, according to the news release.

Reach Sarah Shepherd at news@penbaypilot.com