Harbor Police Officers Help Save Two People

Tuesday, 05 August 2008
Contact: Dale Frost (619) 686-6222

Harbor Police officers are being credited with helping save two heart attack victims. In both incidents, one at Cabrillo Isle Marina on Harbor Island and another at San Diego International Airport, officers used Automated External Defibrillators which were crucial to the patients' survival.

The five officers were honored for their life-saving actions with commendations at the August 5, 2008, Board of Port Commissioners meeting. John Jongeward, an attorney from Yuma, Arizona, assisted the officers at the Cabrillo Isle Marina and will also receive a commendation.

One rescue was on June 28 at the Harbor Island marina. Harbor Police Officers Armando Ramirez and Sara Madvay responded to a call for help for a 70-year-old man having a heart attack aboard his vessel at the marina on San Diego Bay. Using the defibrillator from his police car, Ramirez applied the pads to the man's chest while Jongeward administered chest compressions. After activating the defibrillator, Officer Ramirez and Officer Madvay performed Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation.

A second rescue was on June 24 when Harbor Police Officers Pedro Arce and Eric Willms responded to a radio call that a 62-year-old man was possibly experiencing a heart attack at the shuttle island of Terminal 1 at San Diego International Airport. Officer Willms used the defibrillator while Officer Arce applied the breathing bag and mask. Harbor Police Corporal David Marshall arrived and helped apply the defibrillator pads to the patient's chest while Officer Arce began rescue-breathing. Officer Willms helped keep the victim's airway open and Corporal Marshall and Officer Arce administered chest compressions and rescue breaths. San Diego Fire Department Paramedics and Firefighters soon arrived and assumed care for the patient.

My congratulations to the San Diego Harbor Police for successful life saving efforts," said Dr. James V. Dunford, Professor of Medicine and Surgery at UCSD Medical Center. Dr. Dunford is associated with San Diego Project Heart Beat, which promotes the installation of defibrillators in public places.

All Harbor Police patrol cars and vessels carry an Automatic External Defibrillator. There are 32 defibrillators at the Port of San Diego, with many located throughout the various Port buildings. At San Diego International Airport, defibrillators are available throughout the terminals and other public areas.

The portable, battery-operated defibrillators are designed for use by non-medical personnel. An Automatic External Defibrillator analyzes the patient's condition and, if necessary, delivers an electrical shock to the heart to reverse sudden cardiac arrest.

The San Diego Harbor Police is the law enforcement arm of the Port of San Diego. The 145 sworn officers and 28 civilian personnel provide marine fire-fighting services, airport services, public safety and Homeland Security throughout the tidelands and San Diego Bay. Harbor Police Officers patrol San Diego International Airport under contract with the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority.

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