An Essex Police officer who courageously stepped forward to save the life of a cyclist who came off his bike and needed CPR has won an Essex Police Federation Bravery Award.<\/p>\n
PC Lee Sheppard was in a petrol station in Harlow when a member of the public rushed in and shouted that someone had been knocked off their bike. When he ran to the incident, he saw a large group of cyclists on a grass verge and they told him that the man was in a bad state.<\/p>\n
It later transpired he had suffered a heart attack.<\/p>\n
PC Sheppard said: \u201cI saw a young man lying there completely grey, foaming at the mouth. I thought he was dead. I dropped down to my knees, and there was no pulse, no breathing, nothing. So I called up to my control very, very quickly to tell them what I was doing and started CPR there and then.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe training kicked in. I was on my own so I had no help. Unfortunately none of the members of the public knew what to do, so I was trying to get someone to give me a little bit of assistance. Control were trying to find out a few more details, but I was busy doing CPR.\u201d<\/p>\n
The situation was made more difficult because it was a busy area with lots of people walking past, some even filming what was going on. Someone told PC Sheppard that he was on the floor with the young man for 40 minutes.<\/p>\n
A first responder drove past and came over to help, carrying a defibrillator. The two men used the defibrillator on the injured man until a paramedic, ambulance and air ambulance arrived. The paramedics continued to give the man oxygen and got him to a stable condition.<\/p>\n
The man recovered fully and since PC Sheppard has become friends with him and his family. They continue to stay in touch now.<\/p>\n
PC Sheppard said: \u201cI don\u2019t think I did anything special, it\u2019s my job. That\u2019s one of our primary roles, to protect and save lives. The training we get to do this is superb. But it\u2019s only when you actually do it that you realise how good it is. You remember stuff and it becomes second nature. Thankfully I\u2019ve not had to do it again. But if I did, I would know what to do.\u201d<\/p>\n
Essex Police Federation Chair Laura Heggie said: \u201cThere are many different types of bravery \u2013 it comes in many different forms for our policing colleagues. It takes great courage to step forward in a dynamic situation such as this and to try and save someone\u2019s life.<\/p>\n
\u201cLee did just that and did not give up on this young man, despite the worrying condition he was in. He acted quickly, calmly and professionally and saved the man\u2019s life. He showed great courage.<\/p>\n
\u201cOnce again Lee\u2019s actions show how police officers are much more than crime fighters. We\u2019re all very proud of him.\u201d<\/p>\n
PC Sheppard will attend the Essex Police Federation Bravery Awards \u2013 which will combine celebrating the 2020 and 2021 winners \u2013 in Essex in September.<\/p>\n
He added: \u201cFor me, honestly, I don\u2019t think I did anything special, I really don\u2019t. It\u2019s my job. That\u2019s one of our primary roles, protect and save lives. That\u2019s what I do. That\u2019s what we would all do.\u201d<\/p>\n
The awards are in association with Uniform Mortgages.<\/p>\n
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