ROGERS COUNTY, Okla. — The Rolling Hills Fire Department held a ceremony on Thursday to recognize a Rogers County deputy for saving the life of one of their own.
The ceremony was held at the Rogers County Courthouse, which is where retired firefighter Gary Sarten was reporting for jury duty when he went into cardiac arrest back in January. That’s when Rogers County Deputy Michael Moore administered CPR to save his life.
Sarten said he doesn’t remember what happened that day, but he does know how grateful he is for those who saved his life.
“I thank God for the deputy and everybody up here that did everything, all the doctors and nurses that took care of me, because I would not be here today if it wasn’t for them,” Sarten said.
Deputy Moore and an unknown physician stepped in to help.
“We realized he wasn’t breathing and we got out the AED,” Moore said.
Ahead of Thursday’s ceremony, the two had not seen each other since that day.
FOX23 spoke with Sarten minutes before the emotional reunion about how he was feeling.
“Surreal, very thankful because I am still here because of him,” he said.
The fire department recognized Deputy Moore with a life saving award.