Two GWPD officers were recognized last week for saving a 77-year-old man’s life on July 4.
Stephen Gerber, master patrol officer, and Rebecca Woodie, special police officer, received GWPD Lifesaving Awards for resuscitating the victim after he had collapsed while walking home from watching fireworks.
When Mr. Gerber arrived on the scene around 10:45 p.m. near Pennsylvania Avenue and 21st Street, NW, the man wasn’t breathing. Mr. Gerber administered CPR and called for assistance, requesting an automatic external defibrillator (AED). Ms. Woodie arrived on the scene within two minutes, and together the officers used the AED to deliver a shock to the patient, which restored the man’s breathing.
“The saving of a human life is the most important accomplishment an officer can achieve in the course of their career. It is a truly wonderful gift to be able to extend someone’s life by adding on future days that they otherwise would not have,” said Kevin Hay, GWPD chief. “Some may call it a miracle, but I don’t. I call it the work of dedicated officers doing their duty by being on patrol, witnessing a critical incident and then having the training and poise to know what to do in a stressful situation.”
The victim, who was having a heart attack, was transported to George Washington University Hospital where he was treated by Jesse Pines, an emergency medicine physician. The victim has now made a nearly complete recovery. Dr. Pines, an associate professor of emergency medicine in the School of Medicine and Health Sciences and an associate professor of health policy in the School of Public Health and Health Services, thanked Chief Hay for the officers’ outstanding service.
“So many times, the hard work of EMS providers and police officers goes unappreciated and unrecognized,” said Dr. Pines.
Ms. Woodie said she’s thankful for all the CPR and first aid classes first responders are required to take.
“Our instructors demand our full attention during every drill and even create stressful scenarios for that one-in-a-million call that most officers will never be required to face throughout their career,” she said. “But on the night of July 4, Officer Gerber and I faced such a call.”
In addition to providing primary law enforcement and security services to GW’s Foggy Bottom and Mount Vernon campuses, GWPD also provides emergency medical services on the Foggy Bottom Campus. All 109 special police and security officers are trained in CPR and AED usage and first aid. Several officers, including Mr. Gerber, are members of the department’s Emergency Medical Response Group (EMeRG), a team of volunteer students and university employees who are certified emergency medical technicians and provide emergency medical services to the campus during the school year.
“I take pride in my job whether I’m working as a master patrol officer for GWPD or as a field supervisor for EMeRG,” said Mr. Gerber. “EMeRG and GWPD are here to keep the GW community safe. We are ready and well-prepared to help during emergencies.”