The efforts of teachers and public safety officers on May 12 saved the life of a 19-year-old student at the Joseph Sams School in Fayetteville.
Fayetteville Police Department spokesman Mike Whitlow said 19-year-old Emily Miller suddenly stopped breathing at approximately 10:53 a.m. while attending class on the Sams campus. Teachers immediately began CPR, Whitlow said.
“At the same time, Fayetteville Police Officer Dylan Bell was assisting another officer with a traffic stop in front of the school on Brandywine Boulevard and heard the medical call being dispatched,” said Whitlow. “Officer Bell disengaged from the traffic stop and ran into the school, took over the CPR and continued until medics arrived.”
When medics arrived, Emily had regained a pulse and she was transported to Piedmont Fayette Hospital, Whitlow said.
Emily’s mother, Anne Miller, said she is very thankful for the Sams staff, police officers and EMTs who helped her daughter and provided such prompt action.
Miller said Emily is currently receiving medical treatment an an Atlanta hospital and is expected to recover.
“She’s our angel and is well-loved,” Miller said, also adding her appreciation of the Fayetteville officers who brought flowers and a stuffed doll for Emily while at Piedmont Fayette prior to being transported to Atlanta.
Bell has been with the police department for approximately a year and a half. Speaking May 13, Bell explained that he was on a traffic stop in front of the school when he heard the 911 call come in.
“I made sure the other officer was alright and I went in the school, took over CPR and worked until the medics arrived,” said Bell. “We just did a re-fresher on CPR training. I referred to the training.”
Life and death circumstances can be difficult to explain until a person is put in that position. For Bell, that day came on May 12.
“It’s hard to explain. It’s one of those things that needed to be done and I stepped in where I was needed,” Bell said.
“This incident is an excellent example of a lifesaving, collaborative effort between school faculty, the police and emergency services and underscores the importance of CPR training,” said Whitlow.
Fayetteville fire truck No. 9 arrived and took over CPR until Medic Unit 11 out of the Flat Creek Fire Station arrived at the scene, Fayetteville Fire Chief Alan Jones said.
