INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana State Police held a recognition ceremony in Indianapolis Friday afternoon that included a salute to Master Trooper Michael Gruett, of the Bremen Post, for the life-saving action he took in Marshall County earlier this year.

Master Trooper Michael Gruett

On April 7, Master Trooper Michael Gruett responded to a report of a two-year-old child who had fallen into a pool in Marshall County.

When Gruett arrived, he was met by the victim’s mother who said she had removed the boy from a swimming pool prior to his arrival. She believed that her child had been in the pool for approximately two minutes. She explained she removed water from the child’s mouth, began CPR, and wrapped him in a blanket. She was able to get the child breathing again but he continued to go in and out of consciousness.

Gruett placed the child on the ground and began giving back slaps and sternum chest rubs to start and keep the child crying until EMS arrived. EMS transported the child to Plymouth Airport where he was transported by a Medflight Helicopter to Memorial Hospital in South Bend where he made a full recovery.

Gruett is a 34 year veteran of the Indiana State Police. He lives and patrols in Marshall County.