News

Owosso officer humble after rescue

By DOMINIC ADAMS Argus-Press Staff Writer

Friday, September 26, 2008 10:21 AM EDT

Argus-Press Photo by Anthony Cepak Owosso Police officer Michael Olsey stands near the spot where he saved a 15 year-old from drowning in the Shiawassee River. The location on the river was between Owosso Middle School and Curwood Castle in downtown Owosso.

OWOSSO - Michael Olsey relishes the fact he gets to protect people from criminals as an Owosso police officer.

But Olsey battled a completely different kind of foe Monday when he raced over to the old armory parking lot at Exchange and Water streets.

Olsey went head-to-head with Mother Nature when he leapt into the rain-swelled Shiawassee River to rescue a 15-year-old girl who had jumped off the bridge on Main Street.

“I could see her struggling,” Olsey said. “She was floating down the river and her head was starting to go under the water.”

He had to pull in behind the Owosso Middle School because the girl was already drifting down stream.

Olsey said he jumped in feet first and waded out to the girl.

Even though he is 6-foot-7, Olsey said the water came up to his chest.

“We're just grateful we have officers who are willing to do that,” said Mike Compeau, Owosso Public Safety director. “We want them to use good common sense. (The river's) pretty swift even though it's chest-deep.”

Olsey said his five years spent as a lifeguard prepared him to keep calm during the incident.

He said the girl hit her head and had scrapes on her feet from going over the dam. She was transported to Memorial Healthcare, where she was treated for minor injuries.

With heavy rains hammering the area as a result of Hurricane Ike, the Shiawassee River is near flood level. Even if the river is not officially at the 7-foot flood level, it still can be dangerous.

Last week 32-year-old Charles M. Orgovan died when he went over the Heritage Park Dam in his kayak. The extreme undertow prevented rescue crews from getting to him sooner.

None of that was on Olsey's mind Monday.

“I didn't even think anything of it,” Olsey said. “The way I see it, we're getting paid to protect people. It doesn't matter. We protect them from whatever danger they're in.”

A Clio native, Olsey started his career in law enforcement in Owosso almost three years ago.

Compeau said Olsey is a model officer.

“He's very humble,” Compeau said. “He said, ‘I don't need to be recognized for this.' When he does something outstanding he deserves to be recognized and we're happy to have him here.”

Olsey said he went home briefly to take a shower and change into a dry uniform.

He said he is grateful for his extra pair of boots because he didn't have to finish his shift in the wet pair.

“You never know what's going to happen,” Olsey said. “That's what makes it fun.”

Someone who tells Olsey he is a hero is apt to get a different response from him.

“I just reacted,” Olsey said. “To me a hero is an innocent bystander who would do it.”

- Contact Dominic Adams at 725-5136 extension 239 or by e-mail at dadamsarguspress@gmail.com.

Comment on this Story

brandy wrote on Sep 29, 2008 10:25 PM:

" wow...mike that's awesome!!! Keep up the good work! "

Jim and Jane wrote on Sep 29, 2008 10:08 PM:

" Ditto on Dumfounded's comment. Mike
Olsey did the right thing. No way should he have waited around to call
someone else. Good sense and bravery
was all that was needed. He did have
lifeguard training. Best wishes to him
in his career. And thoughts and prayers
go out to the girl he rescued. Hope she
can someday pay it forward to another
in need. "

paying attention wrote on Sep 29, 2008 12:51 PM:

" Finally a positive story for a Shiawassee P.D.. All the local boys who are officers in this county need to take a page or two from this guys book. Way to go Officer Olsey. "

Dumbfounded wrote on Sep 29, 2008 11:16 AM:

" How could anybody criticize central dispatch and say the police should not have been there. Common sence should tell you by the time Owosso Fire responded the girl would have drowned! How about you make that comment to the girls parents. Evidently you dont like the police in general, remember that if you or your loved ones find themselves in need of rescue ! Try to be a little grateful when strangers put thier lives at risk to save someone else. The officer did not have to risk his life, but he did. People like you need a wake up call !! "

Frank wrote on Sep 29, 2008 8:13 AM:

" FRaaaaaaank! "

yeah wrote on Sep 26, 2008 11:33 PM:

" Did they think about calling Owosso Fire, who is set up for water rescue????
Yeah they were called after the cop had rescued the girl. Central dispatch should be sending the proper people instead of always sending cops to everything..... "

Jeff wrote on Sep 26, 2008 3:30 PM:

" No surprise to me. In general. Owosso has always been lucky to have great officers on the force over the years. Way to go Officer Olsey, keep up the good work and the traditions of the Owosso Police Dept. "

corunna resident. wrote on Sep 26, 2008 2:57 PM:

" i am so glad to know we have officer's like Olsey to protect us. i had the plesure of serving him in a restaurant where i used to work.
you will never meet a more kinder man than him.
even tho i live in corunna now, it's still great to know we have officer's willing to risk it all for us.
ton's of KUDOS to you officer Olsey,
i truly hope the young girl is okay, & get's the help she needs...after all, she is still a child with lot's of issues, but thanks to YOUR quick response, her & her parents can get the help she needs.
this is what makes us ( corunna/owosso) a great community...
keep up the great work... "

Dee wrote on Sep 25, 2008 10:53 PM:

" Did anyone find out WHY this young lady was jumping off the bridge to begin with? Very Glad that she is okay, and that the officer Olsey. "

guy who read this wrote on Sep 25, 2008 3:33 PM:

" Way to go man! "