Saving woman's life earns Kenneth Simunovic top cop honor

Saving woman's life earns Simunovic top cop honor

BRADENTON -- Kenneth Simunovic has been named Officer of the Month for January by the Bradenton Police Department.

Simunovic was first to arrive at a Nov. 21 structure fire at 1203 50th St. E. and saw a female coming out of the residence. He asked her if everyone was out and she told him the residence was empty.

While speaking with her, Simunovic she was sent there to clean the home and did not live there. Simunovic decided to check of the now smoke-filled rooms.

Entering the master bedroom, he noticed a towel wedged under the bathroom door and discovered an unconscious female on the floor.

He also found a charcoal grill burning and creating the smoke she was using to commit suicide. Simunovic dragged her to safety.

The female was taken to Manatee Memorial Hospital for treatment and later taken into protective custody.

"His quick action and disregard for his own safety saved this woman's life," said Chief Michael Radzilowski in a press release.

-- Herald staff reports

This story was originally published January 9, 2016 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Saving woman's life earns Kenneth Simunovic top cop honor ."