On May 10, 2014,
several members of the St Mary's County Sheriff's Office were working in an off
duty capacity providing security for the Warrior Dash race in Budd's Creek,
Maryland. The annual event is one of the largest and most anticipated events in
the region. At 12:24 PM, Deputy William Wood received a report that a race
participant had collapsed in a wooded area and was not breathing. Deputy Wood
requested help over his radio. Deputy Wood and Deputy Trevor Teague located the
56 year old female on the muddy trail more than 50 yards into a densely wooded
area. They immediately assessed the situation, reported her condition, and took
over administering CPR from other race participants.
Sergeant Clayton
Safford, Corporal Todd Fleenor, and Corporal Thomas Hedderich were at the start
line when the call for help came over the radio. Instead of running the course
trail, they ran through a heavily wooded area to where the patient was located
deep in the woods. Corporal Fleenor saw the Gator down the course trail stuck in the mud and ran back to it. Three race participants, later identified as Prince George's County fire fighters, and Corporal Fleenor pulled the Gator out of the mud, then ran back to the patient. The
Gator, driven by contracted medical personnel, made it to the deputies, but
without an automated external
defibrillator (AED). Sergeant Safford with the expertise provided by the PG County fire fighters, determined the priority was to evacuate the patient from the wooded area immediately. Complicating the situation, Sergeant Safford and Corporal Hedderich determined the Gator
could not take the course trail with the patient on board and risk getting stuck
in the mud again. Therefore, they decided the quickest way to the ambulance was
to cut their own path through the woods and with the assistance of the three PG fire fighters they did just
that. Without hesitation they loaded the patient onto the back seat of the
Gator. Deputy Teague ran along side the Gator performing CPR with two of the PG fire fighters providing rescue breaths. Sergeant
Safford, Corporal Fleenor, Corporal Hedderich, Deputy Wood, and the remaining PG fire
fighter made a path with their hands and feet and physically pushed the loaded
Gator approximately 50 yards through the heavily dense brush to the open
field.
Once in the open
field, the ambulance was another 200 yards up the hill at the starting line.
Sergeant Safford relieved Deputy Teague and continued administering CPR with the
patient on the back seat of the Gator until they reached the ambulance. Once at
the ambulance, the patient was transferred onto a gurney and CPR was continued
by Corporal Todd Fleenor until an AED was applied. The PG fire fighters provided rescue breaths the entire time. Deputies then carried the
patient into the ambulance where medical personnel took over her care. The
entire event lasted approximately 15 minutes.
The three Prince George's County fire fighters were later identified as Captain Scot Williams, Captain Mike Marshall, and Fire Fighter Jason Parker.
The three Prince George's County fire fighters were later identified as Captain Scot Williams, Captain Mike Marshall, and Fire Fighter Jason Parker.
“I've been
fortunate to be in public service for nearly 20 years now and in that capacity
I've seen some amazing things, but few rival what I witnessed on May 10. In a
medical emergency time is the enemy. There was no hesitation on the part of
these deputies. Without giving it a second thought, they ran into the thick
woods; through mud, poison ivy, and briars to reach the patient who was in grave
condition. CPR was initiated and a plan to quickly and safely extricate her from
the woods put into action. A path was blazed through the woods. I saw barriers,
fence posts and anything perceived as an obstacle pulled, torn and thrown out of
the way. The ATV, which was commandeered to serve as an ambulance, was
physically pushed out of the woods to meet the awaiting ambulance. Deputies
performing CPR while running alongside the ATV. An EMT, (Emergency Medical
Technician), who witnessed what took place, told me moments later –he had never
seen anything like it before. While shaking his head in disbelief, he said,
“Those guys initiated life-saving care in less than three minutes!” Our deputies
do incredible things and this incident is a tremendous example of how our
officer’s presence, quick action, training, and above all, teamwork affected a
life in the most profound way – by sustaining it.” – Captain Steve Hall,
Commander, Patrol Division, St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office
Sergeant Clay Safford
Corporal Tom Hedderich
Corporal Todd Fleenor
Deputy Trevor Teague
Deputy William Wood
