MATTAPOISETT — Doug Powers was in Munro Preserve at the afterparty to an annual May fundraising bike tour themed around ice cream when he went into cardiac arrest.

Fellow riders and bystanders performed CPR on Powers, who had earlier completed the 22-mile ride of the Mattapoisett Tour de Creme. 

First responders found him “pulseless and not breathing,” Mattapoisett Police Chief Jason King said.

But because of the CPR, defibrillation and “relentless work” of responding police and emergency medical services personnel, Powers regained his heartbeat prior to arriving at the emergency room in New Bedford, according to King.

Those lifesaving measures made by first responders and community members to Powers were recognized Tuesday, Sept. 10 at the Mattapoisett Select Board.

“If it was not for the early recognition and intervention by the bystanders on scene and the hard work by all first responders, the chances of Mr. Powers being here today would be greatly diminished,” King said. 

Twelve people in total — seven first responders and five community members — were recognized with certificates from the American Heart Association.

The emergency personnel included police officers, paramedics and the harbormaster department.

Powers, a Wareham resident, said he wanted to thank the first responders “for what they do daily.”

“They don’t get recognition,” he said. 

Doug Powers’ brother, Marion resident Gary Powers, crafted a wooden coat rack with starfish hooks, which he presented to Harbormaster Isaac Perry and Assistant Harbormaster Luke Mello.

A plaque on it read “A gift from the Powers family to the first responders of Mattapoisett.”

“Although something went very wrong that day, there were so many things that went very right, and that was having all of you guys in the right place at the right time,” Gary Powers said.

Doug Powers also said he would be donating to the Mattapoisett police “to give forward to other people in town.”

“I just want to thank everybody for what you did that day,” he said.