‘Absolutely amazing;’ Cedarville Twp. first responders receive Sheriff Gene Fischer Hero Award

XENIA — A group of first responders received the first ever Sheriff Gene Fischer Hero Award as part of the Xenia Chamber of Commerce gala held Saturday night at the Greene County Fairgrounds.

>>PHOTOS: 1st Annual Sheriff Gene Fisher Hero Award

Five first responders acted quickly to save the life of Abraham Awabdy, 82, of Xenia, who went into cardiac arrest during a tennis match at Cedarville University.

“The five of us involved in the incident functioned as a team,” said Don Parvin, captain of Cedarville University Campus Security and one of the first responders.

He said Dr. John Vitaliti, an anesthesiologist, was playing tennis on July 8, 2022 when Awabdy unexpectedly collapsed on a tennis court at Cedarville. Action was taken to save Awabdy’s life.

“As a result of the efforts, we were amazed at his recovery,” Parvin told News Center 7.

Awabdy walked out of the hospital and returned home three days later.

The other four honored were Lieutenant Luke Neikirk from the Cedarville Township volunteer fire department, Jayson Neri from Cedarville campus security, Jason Robison from the Village of Cedarville’s police department, and Bitaliti.

Parvin said he was absolutely amazed when he found out he was the recipient of the very first Gene Fischer Award.

“We are just amazed,” he said. “We are just honored.”

The Sheriff Gene Fischer Hero Award is named after the late Greene County Sheriff who started his law enforcement career in 1983 with the Fairborn Police Department. He also worked at the Xenia Police Division and was selected as Greene County Sheriff in 2003.

He passed away on November 16, 2021.

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