| Columbia County Sheriff's Office |
David W. Harrison, Jr., SHERIFF James R. Sweet, UNDERSHERIFF
| Copyright ©2006 Columbia County Sheriff's Office, Hudson, NY 12534 |
DEPUTY SHERIFFS USE AED TO SAVE MAN'S LIFE
September 18, 2009
Ghent, NY Sheriff David Harrison, Jr. reports that Two Deputy Sheriff’s who utilized one of their
Automated External Defibrillators (AED), were able to assist a person who stopped breathing and had no
pulse at a Ghent Town Board Meeting last evening, September 17, 2009 at about 7:47PM.
Resident Deputy Sheriff Scott Leggett was at the September monthly Ghent Town Board to give a
presentation on All Terrain Vehicle law and enforcement. While waiting for the period in the meeting to give
his presentation, Deputy Sheriff Leggett observed as a 68 year old Ghent man in the audience was
recognized to address the board. As the man began speaking from his seat, he fell forward onto the floor.
Deputy Sheriff Leggett ran over to him and while checking his vital signs, found that he was not breathing and
had no pulse. Deputy Sheriff Leggett ran to his patrol vehicle just out side the town hall and retrieved the
AED and notified County 911 of the incident. He then ran back into the town hall and began CPR. Deputy
Sheriff Todd Hyson was in the area and arrived within seconds to assist. Both Deputy Sheriffs continued
CPR and began the AED process which did bring back the man’s pulse and irregular breathing. Both Deputy
Sheriff’s continued attending to the man until Chatham Rescue Squad arrived within just a few minutes.
Chatham Rescue Squad transported the man to Columbia Memorial Hospital where his was still a patient as
of 11:30AM today.
The Sheriff said that all Resident Deputy Sheriff’s are assigned AEDs to be carried while on patrol. Even
Sheriff’s Zone Patrols are equipped with AEDs while on patrol as well.
The Sheriff said that Deputy Sheriffs are trained in CPR and the use of AED’s, which were initially
purchased with funds from a grant obtained by EMS Coordinator PJ Keeler approximately 5 to 7 years ago.
He said that the AEDs have been utilized by Deputy Sheriffs on numerous occasions and a few have resulted
in “Reversals”, which means the person’s heart begins beating again.
Sheriff Harrison said that he has received several phone calls from Ghent Town Board members and
other people at the meeting who saw what happened and express praise for what the Deputies did. He said
that both Deputy Sheriff’s did what they are trained to do and are conscientious hard working members of the
Sheriff’s Office.
September 18, 2009
Ghent, NY Sheriff David Harrison, Jr. reports that Two Deputy Sheriff’s who utilized one of their
Automated External Defibrillators (AED), were able to assist a person who stopped breathing and had no
pulse at a Ghent Town Board Meeting last evening, September 17, 2009 at about 7:47PM.
Resident Deputy Sheriff Scott Leggett was at the September monthly Ghent Town Board to give a
presentation on All Terrain Vehicle law and enforcement. While waiting for the period in the meeting to give
his presentation, Deputy Sheriff Leggett observed as a 68 year old Ghent man in the audience was
recognized to address the board. As the man began speaking from his seat, he fell forward onto the floor.
Deputy Sheriff Leggett ran over to him and while checking his vital signs, found that he was not breathing and
had no pulse. Deputy Sheriff Leggett ran to his patrol vehicle just out side the town hall and retrieved the
AED and notified County 911 of the incident. He then ran back into the town hall and began CPR. Deputy
Sheriff Todd Hyson was in the area and arrived within seconds to assist. Both Deputy Sheriffs continued
CPR and began the AED process which did bring back the man’s pulse and irregular breathing. Both Deputy
Sheriff’s continued attending to the man until Chatham Rescue Squad arrived within just a few minutes.
Chatham Rescue Squad transported the man to Columbia Memorial Hospital where his was still a patient as
of 11:30AM today.
The Sheriff said that all Resident Deputy Sheriff’s are assigned AEDs to be carried while on patrol. Even
Sheriff’s Zone Patrols are equipped with AEDs while on patrol as well.
The Sheriff said that Deputy Sheriffs are trained in CPR and the use of AED’s, which were initially
purchased with funds from a grant obtained by EMS Coordinator PJ Keeler approximately 5 to 7 years ago.
He said that the AEDs have been utilized by Deputy Sheriffs on numerous occasions and a few have resulted
in “Reversals”, which means the person’s heart begins beating again.
Sheriff Harrison said that he has received several phone calls from Ghent Town Board members and
other people at the meeting who saw what happened and express praise for what the Deputies did. He said
that both Deputy Sheriff’s did what they are trained to do and are conscientious hard working members of the
Sheriff’s Office.