The Indiana State Police Lowell Post investigated a medical emergency Monday, December 28, 2015, afternoon of a Florida motorist having a heart attack.
Preliminary investigation by Corporal Dan Becker revealed that around 12:30 PM Central Time a motorist pulled into the parking lot of the Indiana State Police Lowell Post. A Rick Thacker ran into the Post and notified Corporal Dan Becker that his passenger was having a possible heart attack. Corporal Becker grabbed the Automated External Defibrillator (AED) from the Post and ran out into the parking lot. Corporal Becker observed an older male, later identified as German Rivera (75) of Homosassa, Florida, seated in the front passenger seat. A passenger of the vehicle was giving rescue breathes. Corporal Becker checked Mr. Rivera for signs of breathing or a pulse and found none. At that point, Corporal Becker applied the pads of the AED and administered a shock. Mr. Rivera still showed no signs of life, so Corporal Becker began CPR on the man. At the prompting of the AED, Corporal Becker administered a second shock, and Mr. Rivera elicited a verbal moan. At that point, Corporal Becker rechecked Mr. Rivera’s vitals and confirmed that he had a pulse. Corporal Becker remained with Mr. Rivera, monitoring his vitals, until Tri-Creek EMS arrived and transported Mr. Rivera to St. Anthony’s Hospital in Crown Point, Indiana.
Mr. Rivera and his extended family came to the post to extend their thanks and gratitude to Corporal Becker for his life saving endeavors. Corporal Becker stated, “I’m just happy that I was here and prepared for this situation. The AED is easy to use and can be used by anyone. It was an honor to be of service to Mr. Rivera and his family.”
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Picture #1 is of Mr. Rivera and Corporal Becker
Picture #2 is of the extended (son, grandchildren and great grandchildren) Rivera family.
