School Staff Who Saved West Haven Principal’s Life To Be Honored

WEST HAVEN, CT — Staff members and first responders will be honored next week for their actions in saving West Haven High School Principal Robert Bohan’s life during an incident last month at the school, according to officials.

The City of West Haven will host a formal recognition ceremony on Thursday, May 14, at 11:30 a.m. at West Haven High School.

Bohan suffered a sudden cardiac arrest on school grounds on April 22, and was “saved by the rapid response of staff members who immediately deployed an automated external defibrillator (AED) and initiated life-saving care before first responders arrived,” according to West Haven Fire Department Captain Jacob Urban.

“Their quick thinking and decisive action in the critical moments following the cardiac event made the difference between life and death,” Urban wrote in a news release. “The ceremony will bring together invited guests from the Mayor's office, the West Haven Board of Education, the West Haven Fire Department, the West Haven Police Department, federal, state, and local dignitaries, as well as friends, family, and students, to formally recognize each individual who played a role in the life-saving response.”

Formal citations will be presented to the following honorees.

HONOREES

West Haven High School Staff

Yvonne Corrado, Gail Curren, Katie Armitage, Patrick Pelligino, Stacy Sutton, Joyce Pagano, Michael Barraco, Trish Robles, John Dellacamera

West Haven Police Department

Officer Paul Stutzman

Officer Steve Evora

West Haven Fire Department

Captain Andy Bennett, Lieutenant Brian Sweeney, Florent Sevrin, Deerick Arzola-Torres, John Notarfrancesco, John Mongillo, Joshtin Rosado, Captain Jacob Urban

West Haven 911 Dispatch

Callan McKeon, Erin Nolan, Ray Memmott

“The West Haven Fire Department commends all those who responded with professionalism and courage,” Urban wrote. “Events like this serve as a powerful reminder of the importance of AED accessibility in public buildings and the value of preparedness training for school staff and first responders alike.”