Masonic Lodge in Arabi honors three deputies, Shane Lulei, Ryan Lopez and Lance Kramer, for saving a child who was unresponsive after falling into a home pool

The Dominique You Masonic Lodge 468 in Arabi honored three sheriff’s deputies on Feb. 4 who saved a child’s life on Jan. 4. Shown at a ceremony at the lodge are, from left, Sheriff James Pohlmann, Dep. Lance Kramer, Cpl. Shane Lulei and Dep. Ryan Lopez. At right is Richard Montelongo Sr., Master of the lodge, who presented the officers framed certificates.

A Masonic Lodge in Arabi has honored three St. Bernard Parish sheriff’s deputies for their quick action on Jan. 4 which saved the life of a two-year-old boy who was unconscious after falling into a home pool in Arabi.

Deputies Ryan Lopez and Lance Kramer, joined by off-duty Cpl. Shane Lulei, were at the Perrin Drive home within minutes of the call going out about 2 p.m. They dealt with near-hysterical relatives and saved a boy who had been removed from a pool unresponsive and not breathing.

Lulei, Lopez and Kramer were recognized on Feb. 4 by the Dominique You Masonic Lodge 468 on Lebeau Street in Arabi. Richard Montelongo Sr., Master of the Lodge, presided over a ceremony in which the three were honored.

It was the second time recently a local group had recognized their efforts. The St. Bernard Kiwanis Club gave the three their Life-Saver Award on Jan. 27.

Andre Dominick, a member of the lodge and a captain with the Sheriff’s Office, told lodge members, “They did a fantastic job saving the life of a two-year-old boy.”

Sheriff James Pohlmann said he was “proud to have great employees” who remained cool and acted professionally under the pressure of an emergency situation to do what they did.

“We appreciate you doing this,’’ the sheriff said of the presentations by the Masons.

Lopez, a six-year veteran of the Sheriff’s Office, immediately began CPR on the child on Jan. 4, assisted by Lulei, a 13-year Sheriff’s Office veteran who has also been with the Fire Department 15 years.

Kramer, who has been with the Sheriff’s Office 10 years, primarily dealt with comforting the family of the boy, who was from Massachusetts but had been visiting relatives on Perrin Drive with his parents. Lopez and Kramer are assigned to the Sheriff’s Office Patrol Division while Lulei is in the Special Operations Division.

Lopez and Lulei worked on the child for several minutes before emergency medical technicians and Fire Department personnel arrived, with Lulei adjusting the boy’s body as Lopez did compressions.

After a while the CPR started to work, with the child showing improving signs. He began slowly spitting up water and was taken to a hospital for further treatment.

At St. Bernard Parish Hospital, both Kramer and Lulei were present when they heard the youngster cry out, a sign he was responsive again.

Lopez wasn’t at the hospital but said when he heard the news the boy was doing better it was emotional for him.

The boy remains hospitalized in New Orleans, but has been recovering.

Numerous representatives of the Sheriff’s Office also attended the Masonic Lodge ceremony.