Good Samaritans, a police officer, firefighters and paramedics were honored for coming together to save the life of a man who collapsed and was unresponsive at the Walmart in Woodstock.
The Woodstock Fire/Rescue District said they responded with the Woodstock Police Department on February 11 to the Walmart, 1275 Lake Avenue.
Fire officials said a man was reported to have collapsed after going into cardiac arrest.
Several bystanders came to the man’s aid. Woodstock Police Officer Andy Reitz arrived and quickly applied an AED.
The patient was shocked by the AED in an attempt to restart his heart prior to the paramedics’ arrival.
Paramedics arrived a few minutes later and continued lifesaving measures before transporting the man to a local hospital.
Fire officials said the patient, Don, is alive and doing well “due to the actions of all parties involved.”
“Calls like this emphasize why we train and put the right teams in the right place with the best equipment,” the fire department said.
During a Thursday evening presentation, authorities recognized several people involved with lifesaving awards.
Those recognized included Reitz and fire department Battalion Chief Scott Nieman, Lieutenant Mike Brinkman, Firefighter-Paramedic Kyle Beres, Firefighter-Paramedic Adam Mass and Firefighter-EMT Ruben Carreno
Authorities also recognized three good Samaritans — Mandy Kurka and Dominique Cuellar, who are both nurses, and Dominique Jackson.