He Had 16 Seconds To Save A Life

It was 9:20 a.m. on Dec. 6 when the dispatch center alerted University of South Florida Police Cpl. Ed Lutz that there had been a 9-1-1 call.

It seems a woman had been discovered lying in the lobby of the USF ROTC building. She wasn't breathing.

Lutz wasted no time. He arrived on the scene 16 seconds after the call and found bystanders attempting to clear the woman's airway. 

Acting instinctively, Lutz began administering CPR but he could detect no pulse. 

He switched to the Automated External Defibrillator (AED) in the hopes of getting a better response. No reaction.

Determined to save her life, Lutz began another cycle of chest compressions and rescue breaths, this time with more success. Air was finally getting to her lungs, but she still wasn't out of the woods.

Lutz continued fighting for her life as Tampa Fire Rescue responders arrived. The AED was still attached to the woman and Lutz suggested the responders try administering another shock. 

This time, the woman began to breathe.

She was subsequently stabilized and transported to Florida Hospital.

And Lutz put the incident behind him, continuing with his policing duties.

However, seven months later, on July 15, Lutz was surprised to encounter the now-healthy woman again. 

The woman, Cheryl Hudson, was on hand to watch as Lutz received the USF Police Department Meritorious Lifesaving Award.

The Meritorious Lifesaving Award is given to recognize an act of quick and knowledgeable responsiveness and valiant effort in attempting to sustain or revive a life.

Lutz was surprised by the honor. After all, he was simply doing a job he'd sworn to do 24 years ago.

Prior to coming to the USF Police Department, Lutz served  20 years with the New York City Police Department, working patrol assignments in Lower Manhattan, Harlem and the South Bronx.

In 1992, he was promoted to detective with the NYPD and in 1994, he was accepted into the Emergency Service Unit, the NYPD's citywide SWAT/rescue team. He continued in that assignment until his retirement in 2005.

After relocating to Florida with his family, Lutz joined the USF Police in 2006 and is currently serving as a patrol supervisor on the midnight shift.