By Mark Reynolds
Plattekill Police Chief Oscar Lopez praised Officer Kyle Cusack and Detective Scott Wolpert for saving the life of fellow officer, Sgt. Andres Arestin, on January 3, 2025. The sergeant was off duty and hunting with a friend when he fell and his own 20 gauge gun went off when it hit a rock. The bullet hit his left forearm and damaged an artery. Upon arriving at the scene, Officer Cusack applied a tourniquet to stop the bleeding and because an ambulance as not readily available, the two transported him to a local hospital, arriving at 9:53 am. Sgt. Arestin is expected to make a full recovery.
Chief Lopez said a thorough investigation was done and the sergeant’s name was on the report, as is done on any hunter-related accident. The Chief said in this case, they determined that the other hunter did not shoot the Sergeant because they had different gauge weapons. In addition, the hunter’s steps were retraced to account for all of the ammunition.
“Our guys did the right thing and that’s how it should have went down, not only because he was an officer, but we would have done it for any civilian hunter. Thank God all my officers have tourniquets with them on the medical kit and on their duty belts. In this case it was proven to come in handy.”
Reports of the incident shut down rumors.
“Facts kill rumors and I’m sure the reports are subject to the Freedom of Information Law, if someone wants a copy,” Lopez said. “It was a freak accident and I’ve been hunting with him for about 25 years and we’re always safe.”
Lopez expects Arestin’s recovery will be lengthy as far as rehabilitation.
“He had a skin graft and he has to change the bandages on a daily basis and he has to go through therapy, but it could have been a lot worse. He has mobility on all his fingers, which is great,” the chief said. “He is actually coming back to work on light duty and doing reports and things like that; I think the quick response by the police is what made the difference.”