ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. – Erie County Sheriff John C. Garcia commends the work of three Reserve Deputies after they performed CPR on a man at Highmark Stadium on December 22nd.
During the 1st half of the Patriots vs. Bills game, dispatch received a first aid call for a male on the stairway between Sections 110 and 111. Several ECSO and AMR personnel responded to the scene immediately and noted the male did not have a pulse. Reserve Deputy Shawn Kephart, Reserve Deputy Bernie Kowal, Reserve Deputy Josh Pasnik and a Good Samaritan administered CPR on a rotating basis for approximately five minutes before medical crews deployed an AED. Two shocks were administered, with crews finding a pulse after the second shock.
The 61-year-old male was transported to Mercy Hospital of Buffalo in stable condition.
“I extend my thoughts and prayers to this gentleman and his family,” Sheriff Garcia said. “The courageous and heroic efforts of our Reserve Deputies, the Good Samaritan and medical crews deserve to be recognized. They responded to a chaotic moment quickly and consistent with their training.
“This is an important reminder we should all know CPR and how to use an AED. I encourage everyone who doesn’t to sign up for training. A medical incident such as this can happen anywhere, anytime. Preparation and knowledge can go a long way to increasing the chance of survival.”
You can find a CPR class near you by visiting https://cpr.heart.org/en/course-catalog-search.