By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
As a Wood County Sheriff’s deputy struggles in the ICU at Wood County Hospital, 46 first responder vehicles filed past the hospital Thursday to give him hope.
Sgt. Jody Swoap, 42, of Bowling Green, remains in the ICU with serious COVID complications.
Wood County Sheriff Mark Wasylyshyn said Friday that the parade was organized on short notice after physicians cautioned about the seriousness of Swoap’s condition.
“Things weren’t looking too good, and we wanted to make sure he didn’t give up,” Wasylyshyn said.
When word got out, 46 police, fire, EMS, and trooper vehicles from throughout the county showed up for a parade around the hospital. With lights flashing, they circled around the emergency department entrance.
Swoap was unable to view the event, but it was videotaped in hopes that he could watch it later, the sheriff said.
“We want to let him know that we all want him to fight the good fight,” Wasylyshyn said.
Swoap is a road sergeant with the sheriff’s office, head of the Special Response Team, a firearms instructor, and a crash reconstruction expert, Wasylyshyn said.
Following is a video of the first responder parade for Swoap:
https://www.amazon.com/photos/shared/n0eDTs5WQY6CLOs4HijywQ.kop2P_njOJhnbCzlvYHWWj
Swoap and his wife, Suzanne, who is a dispatcher for the BGSU Police Department, have young children.
An effort is also underway to show Swoap some support from the community. Children are being asked to create artwork reminding the sergeant of all the local support for him.
Artwork be dropped off to the following places:
- Wood County Hospital emergency department entrance, to the attention of Katie Frank. People can give the art to the temperature checker or ER desk.
- Wood County Sheriff’s Office, to the attention of Deputy Lori Baker.
- Bowling Green Police Department, to the attention of Sgt. Scott Frank.
