Even on a day off fishing with friends 80 miles out in the Atlantic, Police Officer Bill Parmenter was prepared to save a life.
The former Coast Guardsman and trained paramedic heard a radio call from another boat about a man who had suffered severe lacerations. He had his own medical kit and, upon arriving at the scene, applied two tourniquets and stopped the bleeding.
For his actions, Parmenter was honored at the Suffolk Legislature and is the first to be named “Cop of the Month” under a new program. With official proclamations of appreciation in hand, the 2nd Precinct Officer from Northport posed for photos with his family and Suffolk lawmakers. The former Coast Guard member, 35, was part of a new class of officers graduating from the Suffolk Police Academy in May.
"Officer Parmenter embodies what it means to be a Suffolk County Police officer,” said Lou Civello, Suffolk PBA President. “Always prepared to act even while off duty on Long Island's tumultuous waters, his dedication saved this man's life. We are very proud of his heroic actions."
After stabilizing the victim, who suffered cuts to both legs from hooks while fighting a large fish, Parmenter called for a Coast Guard helicopter, which transported him to MacArthur Airport for a trip to Stony Brook Hospital. A Suffolk Police Aviation unit served as a backup while the Coast Guard chopper made its way from Cape Cod.
Parmenter stayed with the victim’s boat for a while, calming his wife and friends and helping to clean up. He’s since been in touch with his fellow angler and has an open invitation to go fishing with him.