Man Who Suffered Heart Attack Thanks CHP, Southern Marin Fire for Saving his Life

Just after 9 a.m. on October 24, 2012, Leonard Sellers died.

He was having breakfast at Taste of Rome Café in Sausalito when he had a massive heart attack and fell to the ground, banging his head on the front counter.

“When I went down, I went down at the feet of the California Highway Patrol,” Sellers said.

He was not breathing and had no pulse, but officers Michael Nispuruk and Kenji Burrage were also there having a morning coffee break. They sprung into action, and began performing CPR in a matter of seconds while broadcasting the medical emergency over the radio. Within a minute responders from the Southern Marin Fire Protection District ran from the nearby station and were able to use a defibrillator to revive Sellers. 

“The fact they were able to start CPR so quickly and keep it going until other life saving equipment was on the scene, saved his life,” said CHP Public Information Officer Andrew Barclay.

Sellers regained consciousness in the ambulance as he was rushed to Marin General Hospital, and within a half hour he was in an operating room being treated for an arterial blockage.

“Without them, I’d be pushing daisies,” Sellers said.

Almost six months later, Sellers, 68, looked strong and healthy at the Sausalito waterfront, behind the Taste of Rome, for an award ceremony honoring the men who saved him.

“I have a guardian angel on my shoulder,” he said. “And I know their names.”

Those recognized included:

California Highway Patrol Officers

• Officer Michael Nispuruk, #12687
• Officer Kenji Burrage, #14448

Southern Marin Fire Protection District Personnel:

• Captain Mike Martinez (Not in attendance)
• Captain Josh McHugh (Not in attendance)
• Firefighter Joe Frazier
• Firefighter Jeff Chance
• Firefighter/Engineer Peter Falk
• Firefighter/Engineer Toby Hart
• Firefighter/Paramedic Tim Pratt (Not in attendance)
• Paramedic/Engineer Larry Yoell
• Paramedic Benjamin Pope