Mattapoisett officers awarded for saving life

Aug 12, 2015

Four Mattapoisett police officers have received an award for going beyond their regular law enforcement duties to provide medical service to a man in cardiac arrest.

Sgt. Jason King and officers William McIlmail, Dennis Tavares and Turner Ryan responded to the home of Raymond Briggs after he passed out and hit his head.

Briggs told his wife he didn’t want an ambulance, but she called the police who found the man in cardiac arrest. Using CPR and medical training, the officers got Brigg’s heart beating again as an ambulance was dispatched. Briggs heart stopped several times before he arrived at the hospital. Lyons said he received a pacemaker.

Without the officers’ actions, Police Chief Mary Lyons said, “[Briggs] probably wouldn’t be with us today. He’s eternally grateful for the role that the Police Department and ambulance played.”

In June, the officers received the First Responder Recognition Award from the Statewide Advisory Committee for CPR/First Responders for their actions. Lyons submitted them as candidates for the award.

“It’s good recognition for the town and for the police officers,” she told Selectmen on Tuesday.