First responder life-savers recognized

The Chanute city commission,  police department and fire department recognized three police officers who saved the life of a Chanute man after a car fell on him.

Capt. Hayden King and officers Tim Talbert and Josh Cole received medallions from CPD Chief Chris Pefley and letters of commendation and medals from CFD Chief Jeff Mitchell at Monday evening’s commission meeting.

Members of the victim’s family and fellow officers were in attendance.

The officers were the first on the scene when the victim became pinned under a car in the 600 block of south Lincoln at about 6:40 pm March 6.

Two fire engines responded and firefighters found King administering CPR while the other two consoled the family.

The officers used a floor jack to lift the car off of the victim, who was not breathing and had no heartbeat. The officers continued to administer CPR while EMS used a defibrillator and established a heart rate.

They transported the victim to Neosho Memorial Regional Medical Center and he was later flown to a trauma care center and released.

“What these three officers did directly impacted the outcome of the situation and it could have been much, much worse,” Capt. Shawn Reinecke, who was on the scene, said Monday evening.

In his comments at the end of the meeting, Commissioner Kevin Berthot expressed gratitude to the officers and to other unsung heroes of the community.

“In a community this size, we have a lot of heroes,” Berthot said. “Tonight we had a great opportunity to recognize three men that are standing out for the fact that they were able to save a life.”