Trooper Honored for Life-Saving Action in Southbury

A Southbury-based State Police Trooper was honored this week for a life saving act he was involved with in Southbury.  

Officers from across the state received awards for service during a ceremony on June 3 at the Connecticut State Police Training Academy in Meriden. Twice a year, the Connecticut State Police honors Troopers who demonstrate exceptional service in the line of duty.   

Trooper First Class John McGeever, of Troop ‘A’ in Southbury, was awarded the Medal for Lifesaving.  

The medal was given for an event that took place on October 5, 2011, shortly after 8 a.m. when Troop ‘A’ received an emergency call from a motorist on Interstate 84 who reported that his brother, a passenger in his vehicle, was possibly having a seizure. 

The caller was instructed to leave the highway at Exit 16 and pull into a local gas station where an ambulance would be dispatched to meet them. Trooper McGeever was dispatched, along with other Troopers and Southbury Officers.   

The responders assessed the patient and determined that the male was not breathing and did not have a pulse. The man was removed from the vehicle and CPR was initiated.    

While providing ventilations and chest compressions, an AED was used to administer two shocks. CPR continued until the arrival of the ambulance, at which time care was transferred to ambulance personnel.   

Prior to departing for the hospital, ambulance personnel reported that the male’s heartbeat was restored and he was breathing on his own.  

For his action in this event Trooper McGeever earned the 'Medal for Lifesaving', a prestigious award presented to those who save a human life or make a valiant attempt to save a life.