Quick action by deputies with the Columbus County Sheriff’s Office saved the life of a man who collapsed in the courthouse annex Tuesday.
First Sergeant Mary Wilkins and Deputy Darryl Hooker were performing bailiff duties in District Court on the third floor when they heard “urgent cries for help from the hallway,” according to a press release. They discovered an older male lying on the floor unresponsive.
A female told deputies that the man collapsed while assisting her in a wheelchair. Wilkins and Hooker determined the individual was in cardiac arrest. He had no pulse, was not breathing, and his skin was blue in color. The deputies immediately initiated CPR and called for emergency medical services.
Wilkins also requested assistance from Deputy Phillip Britt, who has advanced medical training and for an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) to be brought to the scene. Deputy Scott Kurtyka brought the AED, while Britt joined the lifesaving efforts. The deputies continued CPR until they could administer the AED.
After the first shock, the man’s pulse returned and he began breathing on his own. EMS personnel arrived shortly thereafter and took over. The individual was stabilized and is currently receiving follow-up treatment.
“What happened inside the courthouse yesterday is a powerful reminder of why training, preparation, and courage matter,” Sheriff Bill Rogers said in the press release. “First Sergeant Wilkins, Deputy Hooker, Deputy Britt, and Deputy Kurtyka did not hesitate—they acted decisively and gave a man the greatest gift possible: more time with his loved ones. Their bravery and dedication embody the very heart of public service, and I could not be prouder of them.”
Be the first to comment