A U.S. Capitol Police Officer was named a national officer of the month for helping to save a fellow officer during a paralyzing snowstorm.
According to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial fund, which announced the award Thursday.
In February 2010, Officer Michael Riley responded to a call of an “officer down” and found Officer Bryan Nickelson unconscious with blood dripping from his head and nose. Nickelson had slipped on the ice and slammed his head on the frozen ground.
Riley, a trained EMT, realized that Nickelson was critically injured. Nickelson’s eyes had become fixed and his pulse stopped. Riley performed CPR, and Nickelson took a few more gasps, before he stopped breathing again.
When emergency crews arrived, Riley arranged for Nickelson’s wife to be taken to the hospital.
Doctors performed an emergency quadruple bypass surgery. Medical officials said Riley’s quick response kept Nickelson alive and ensured that he didn’t suffer any brain damage.
