We salute those who - New Orleans City Business

FIRST RESPONDERSDan RussoPosition: deputy chief, Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s OfficeAge: 60Family: wife, Frances; children, Dax, 32, Jason, 30Education: bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, Loyola UniversityFrom left:Dax, Dan andJason Russo.Photo courtesy Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s OfficeDax RussoPosition: robbery sergeant, Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s OfficeAge: 33Family: wife, Melissa; children, Dax Jr., 21 monthsEducation: Rummel High School alumnusJason RussoPosition: enforcement sergeant, Louisiana Department ofWildlife and FisheriesAge: 30Family: wife, Jennifer; children, Jace, 4, Jonathan, 1Education: Rummel High School alumnusIn tragedies big and small, Dan Russo has played a vitalrole. Now his two sons, Dax and Jason, are following in thetradition.“When you are a patrol officer, you are the first one on thescene,” Dan said. “We get there before the fire department,we get there before anybody. And a lot of times you are in asituation where you have to take action immediately.”Working as a recovery team commander at the 1982 Pan-Am crash site in Kenner, Dan performed the grim task ofretrieving bodies.“My team alone picked up 71 bodies. That’s somethingthat is hard to forget.”Dan’s dedication prompted his son, Dax, to follow himinto law enforcement. First working on patrol, then gangenforcement and now the robbery division with theJefferson Parish Sheriff ’s Office, Dax has also served as anemergency first responder.“During a hurricane, for example, everybody becomesactivated. The whole department goes to a 12-hour shift.We basically back up the patrol divisions and whatever goeson, whether it’s an accident or trying to get someone to shelter,we are ready to pitch in,” Dax said.A former Marine Corps Reserves sergeant, Dax rememberswatching his father help accident victims.“A lot of times we were in a car and he stopped becauseof an accident,” Dax said. “And now I do it and my son isexperiencing the same thing.”Dan’s example also has inspired his youngest son, Jason.An enforcement agent with the Louisiana Department ofWildlife and Fisheries, Jason, in a hurricane, serves on thefront line of search and rescue operations.“Any time a hurricane has entered the Gulf, our departmenthas mobilized and been prepared to move people toBaton Rouge,” Jason said.During Katrina, he helped move residents out of aMetairie nursing home and later conducted search and rescueoperations in the Lower 9th Ward.•— Garry Boulard10 Health Care Heroes