In partnership with the Salisbury Independent and WMDT, The Wicomico Rotary’s Club presented the Hero Award on February 1, 2022.
This award is designed to honor an individual who has performed a single Act or Event within Wicomico, Worcester, Somerset or Dorchester Counties, that represents an Amazing and Heroic Act during the calendar year. Nominations are accepted through December 31st of each year. The committee will select a recipient and present the award on the first Tuesday in February of the following year.
The recipient will receive the Wicomico Rotary Hero Award Plaque and a $1,000 donation to the 501c3 Charity of their choice.
This year’s recipient is Deputy First Class Lee Hagel of the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Department. On July 24, 2021 Deputy Hagel was sent to a 911 call for a male who had ingested a controlled dangerous substance, was hallucinating and had sliced his own throat. Deputy Hagel was able to detain the subject who was resisting, bleeding heavily and was covered in blood. Deputy Hagel was able to stop the bleeding until EMS arrived. The man underwent emergency surgery and recovered. His family credits Deputy Hagel with saving his life by stopping the bleeding and preventing him from bleeding out and dying. Deputy Hagel was exposed to a large amount of blood during the event. For his actions, Deputy Hagel received the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office Life Saving Award.
Annually, The Rotary Club of Wicomico County contributes over $50,000 back into our community through the support of agencies and causes including: Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, YMCA, Habitat for Humanity, Life Crisis Center, scholarships for local high school and college students, The Christian Shelter, RYLA, Easter Seals Camp Fairlee, Polio Eradication (Global), Fruitland Community Center, HALO, Wicomico County Library, the construction of wheel chair ramps and much more.
The Rotary Club of Wicomico County meets every Tuesday at noon in the Wicomico Youth and Civic Center at 500 Glen Avenue in Salisbury. To learn more about the Rotary Club of Wicomico County or to obtain membership information, please contact Gary Stiegler, Membership Chair at jgstiegler2477@comcast.net or visit the club’s website at www.wicomicorotary.com.
