Congratulations to Troopers Dana Croy and Santos Lopez – Troop K (Orlando) for being selected as the co-recipients of the Florida Highway Patrol Trooper of the Month Award for March 2005, for their attempts to save the life of a motorist trapped in a submerged vehicle.

On March 10, 2005, while conducting a traffic stop on State Road 528, Trooper Croy was informed by a passing motorist of a taxi that had left the roadway and traveled into a body of water, and immediately informed the communications center, requesting Fire Rescue services. Then, Trooper Croy located the taxi in the water off Frontage Road.

Trooper Santos Lopez soon responded to the location for assistance. Troopers Croy and Lopez maneuvered through two chain-link fences to get to the body of water where the taxi was sinking fast. After assessing that there was only the driver in the taxi, Trooper Lopez and two citizens swam out to the taxi to try to save the driver’s life. They removed the driver who was not breathing, and began CPR on him until Fire Rescue arrived. The taxi driver was transported to Orlando Regional Medical Center where, unfortunately, he was pronounced dead.

Troopers Croy and Lopez acted in the highest tradition of the Florida Highway Patrol, and are hereby commended for their actions.

Troopers of the Month 1999-2005

Trooper Recognition