Sheriff’s Office Media Release
On Monday, December 23, 2103, at approximately 5:45PM, Indian River County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a home in southern Indian River County in order to check the welfare of a local resident. A concerned family member had called the Sheriff’s Office to report the 65 year old woman had made statements which the family had interpreted as threats to harm herself.
When deputies arrived, a neighbor reported that about 20 minutes prior an unrecognized SUV had pulled into the garage of the home. The neighbor told deputies that he believed the house was to be unoccupied for the holidays.
From the driveway of the home, deputes heard what sounded like a vehicle’s motor running in the closed garage. They also noticed the garage door was slightly warm to the touch. The fire department and EMS were immediately dispatched but the deputies did not feel it was safe to wait for their arrival.
Deputies attempted to pry a window open but when those efforts were unsuccessful, the glass was broken with a flashlight and a pry bar used to open the window. Deputies Matthew Davis and Jonathan Lozada entered the window and opened the front door to allow Sergeant Dane Morris and Deputy Tim Crooker to enter the home.
The deputies entered the garage and opened the door. They noticed the unconscious victim in the running vehicle with the windows down. They reported she had pictures and other items of family memorabilia on her lap. She was immediately removed from the vehicle and carried to the front lawn where she began to regain consciousness as EMS arrived. She was treated at the scene and transported to the hospital by ambulance.
Within a few minutes of exiting the garage, Deputies Davis and Lozada began to feel ill and have difficulty breathing. They were treated with oxygen at the scene and transported to the hospital by EMS. Once at the hospital, Sergeant Morris began to feel ill as well and was treated in the E.R.
All three deputies were released after being treated and are expected to be back to work during their next assigned shift. The attempted suicide victim was also treated and will be further evaluated by medical staff as needed.
The Indian River County Sheriff’s Office wishes to acknowledge the actions of Sergeant Dane Morris and Deputies Matthew Davis, Jonathan Lozada, and Tim Crooker. We are proud of this fine team of law enforcement professionals and are pleased the victim was reached in time to ensure she will receive the treatment she needs.
Indian River Guardian 
So glad the Sgt and deputies are okay, and hope the person attempting to end it all survives and can be treated for the depression. All year long negative things happen but when they happen near the Holidays those events appear to be much worse. No surprise there.
This is but one of many thousands of instances where the County Sheriff’s Department deputies and our other local law enforcement agencies put their lives on the line and do what is promptly necessary to save and protect lives. I remember a few years ago when the Taxpayers Group of IRC challenged the Sheriff’s budget and their high cost of operation. it appeared that they had better ideas as to how law enforcement should be run and which services should be cut to save taxpayers money. Of course these suggestions would cut costs, but at a price that jeopardized safety and life itself! As we now thank our Veterans for serving, I feel the same gratitude should be extended to our Sheriff’s Department and all local law enforcement officers for putting their lives on the line 24/7 for our safety and well being. The next time suggestions are made for more benefits for our law enforcement agencies, think of the benefits we receive from them each day, they are worth it!