NYSCOPBA Greene Sector Valor Award

On 2/3/16 at approximately 8:50am, Lt. Robert Trudell observed ORC W. Johnson on the floor unconscious in the Administration Building Sally Port.  Lt. Trudell immediately called for a Medical Emergency Response.

Sgt. Mark Farrell, Officers Harold Rivenburgh, Brian Pryor, Brian Lifford, and Wayne Holt along with RN Aiden O’Conner responded and checked ORC Johnson’s vital signs.  No pulse or breathing was observed.  Officer Lifford applied the AED at approximately 8:54am and the AED advised a shock.  Officer Holt administered the shock at approximately 8:55am.  Officer Rivenburgh immediately initiated CPR for approximately 4-5 minutes until the AED advised to stop and reassess.

Also at approximately 8:55am, Sgt. Farrell advised the Watch Commander to call for an ambulance.  An ambulance was immediately dispatched to the facility.

At approximately 9:00am, the AED advised to administer a second shock.  Officer Holt administered the shock and Officer Rivenburgh immediately began chest compressions while Officer Pryor operated the manual breathing apparatus.

CPR continued for 3-4 minutes until the AED advised to stop and reassess.

At approximately 9:04am, the AED advised to administer a third shock.  Officer Holt administered the shock, and Officer Rivenburgh again continued chest compressions, while Officer Pryor operated the BVM.

CPR continued for approximately 4 minutes until the AED advised to stop and reassess.

At approximately 9:05am, Coxsackie Ambulance and Paramedics arrived at the facility.

At approximately 9:07am, the AED advised no shock.   ORC Johnson became conscious and began breathing on his own.

ORC Johnson was transported to the Albany Medical Center ER by ambulance.  The AED was secured per policy and replaced.

In conclusion, ORC Johnson had suffered a heart attack and his heart stopped beating.  It was the immediate response and determined efforts of the truly professional security staff at Greene CF that saved ORC Johnson’s life.

According to EMS staff, had it not been for the actions of the responding security staff; ORC Johnson would not have survived.

In our dangerous and unpredictable profession, heroic efforts like those displayed on 2/3/16 often occur far away from public view.  In these troubling times of intense public and governmental scrutiny of our Department and its employees; it is the dedication to professionalism and the selflessness of these employees that truly reflect the quality of the Department’s Security Services Unit.

Sgt. Farrell and Officers Rivenburgh, Pryor, Lifford, and Holt are deserving of recognition for their bravery and willingness to go to any length to save the life of a fellow employee.

Andrew Lashua