Indiana State trooper saves the life of a 60 year old man

 

BREMEN, Ind -- Indiana State Trooper Arthur Smith's name is ringing through Michiana after saving the life of a man who was having a heart attack.

60 year old Jerry Dewey was going back to his car when all of a sudden he took a stumble and fell to the ground fighting for his life and now it’s a memory both he and trooper Arthur Smith will never forget.

It was just after 7 in the evening the day after Christmas when Indiana State trooper Arthur Smith’s body camera caught a car accident victim collapsing on state road 19 near county road 26 in Elkhart County.

"When I got him rolled over, you could see based on his face and what not that it appeared to be a heart attack," said Indiana State Trooper Arthur Smith.

Smith says 60 year old Jerry Dewey and his girl friend were on the crash scene when he ran to his trunk to grab his automated external defibrillator or AED and based on the look of jerry’s face he knew it what was needed.

"We are trained to this so luckily, I acted as practice makes perfect so I did was I was supposed to do," said Smith.

State troopers are trained once a year on how to use the life saving devices and CPR and on December 26th, the ten year state trooper was prepared.

"This thing was already on so it started analyzing," said Smith.

"And then it advised that shock was needed. So, I had to tell her to stand back so her and I were not shocked," said Smith.

"It delivered a shock and he became responsive for a brief second a little bit. Tried to lift his head up and was un-responsive and I started chest compressions and shortly after that, that’s when he gasped for air and lifted his head and was able to start talking to me," said Smith.

Trooper smith doesn’t really like being called a hero though because its all part of his job and this isn’t always the result when he’s done it in the past.

"Any police officer would have done this. I just happen to be in the right place at the right time," said Smith.

"Third times a charm. Other times I've had to use it, it’s brought a little time but ultimately the subjects passed away. But luckily this time I think timing was everything. I happen to be right there," said Smith.