Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Volunteers Share Story Of Missing Child

Posted by: KHTS FM 98.1 & AM 1220 in Sheriff News March 22, 2014 - 11:54 am 0 137 Views

COURTESY LEON WORDEN SCVNEWS.COM

The following was written Friday by a member of the SCV Sheriff’s Search and Rescue team. The writer’s name and that of his partner have been withheld by request.

“One of the toughest calls I have been on was today. Santa Clarita Search & Rescue was called out to look for a missing 4-year-old autistic boy in Castaic.

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“As we were leaving the station, our air unit spotted the boy in a neighbor’s pool and directed deputies into the backyard. Several deputies jumped into the pool, uniforms, guns, radios and all to get to the boy. They immediately began CPR on the unresponsive little boy.

“The air unit landed in the middle of a residential street and scooped up the boy. Patrol deputies continued CPR in the chopper all the way to Henry Mayo.

“My partner (name withheld) and I met the air unit on the roof of Henry Mayo and took over CPR the rest of the way to the ER. The poor little guy was very cold and blue and still unresponsive. He was in full arrest.

Travis Stratton, 4

“The hospital staff immediately started lifesaving measures but it was too late. Nobody had any idea how long he was in the pool. They pronounced him dead shortly after 4 p.m.

“I have never been so proud to be part of the Sheriff’s Department as I was today. I wish everyone could see how hard all those involved tried to save this little boy.

“Just outside the trauma room in the ER were 15 or more deputies. Some soaking wet, just waiting for some good news from the doctors. Some broke down and cried. Myself included. I stepped outside the ER to call my wife and tell her where I was and what happened. All I could smell was the burning brakes of the 10 or so patrol cars that rushed the parents to the hospital. I could hardly talk.

“For the first time I can remember, my emotions got the best of me. That never happens at work. But today it did. I guess I am human after all. We all tried our best today, but it just didn’t turn out the way we hoped.

“Rest in peace, Little Travis.”

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