Two Modesto police officers honored for saving man’s life

Modesto police Officers Jeremy Davis and Juan Arroyo had just arrived at a family disturbance call when a dispatcher radioed that a different call of a suspicious person had changed to a medical aid call involving a man who was not breathing.

Generally, police officers don’t respond to medical aid calls.

“It was just the way the call came in; it didn’t sound right,” said Arroyo about that December evening. “It was just one of those gut feelings.”

Their decision to respond to the nearby medical aid call, and ensuing actions, saved a man’s life.

Arroyo radioed to the dispatcher that they were going to divert to the medical call, which was in the 2300 block of Carver Road.

They arrived at the home several minutes – precious minutes – before firefighters and paramedics.

Davis and Arroyo were immediately led by the man’s frantic wife to a couch where he lay pale and motionless.

The officers checked for a pulse but couldn’t find one. They moved the 46-year-old man to the ground and Davis started chest compressions. The man gasped for air several times, an indication Davis’ efforts were working.

“As police officers, sometimes we are first responders and that is why we have the training,” Davis said, but “I thought it was going to be training that I had but would never have to use.”

Their training kicked in immediately. “I wasn’t even thinking of the steps. … It was automatic at that point,” Davis said.

When the officers saw the lights from the arriving ambulance and fire engine, Davis went to direct them to the house while Arroyo continued chest compressions.

Firefighters from Station 11 took over CPR and used a defibrillator on the man, which brought back his pulse.

Meanwhile, the officers guided the man’s wife away from the chaotic scene.

“I wanted to remove her from the room because I have seen CPR done,” Arroyo said. “From a third-person view it is pretty traumatic; it looks very violent.”

The man was taken to the hospital and survived the ordeal. The officers’ early efforts helped preserve his brain function and maintained blood flow.

Arroyo said he went to check on him before the end of his shift that night, but he was sedated. Neither officer has talked to him since but said they’d like to know how he’s doing.

The next day, Modesto fire Chief Sean Slamon emailed the officers and their superiors.

“Your quick response and recognition of a 46-year-old adult male in cardiac arrest, and immediately initiating CPR, absolutely saved this man’s life,” it read in part.

On Friday, the officers were recognized with a lifesaving medal during a Modesto Police Department awards banquet. They will also get a Red Cross heroes award later this month.

The officers, who both have been with the force fewer than three years, said they appreciate the recognition, but the greatest reward was that their actions aided in the man’s survival.

This story was originally published May 8, 2016 at 7:29 PM with the headline "Two Modesto police officers honored for saving man’s life."