MDOC Staff are Lifesavers Behind the Walls and on the Street

· On September 6, 2011, while driving home from work, Officer Doug Ray and Officer Ronda Frazier came upon a head-on collision.  There was a 2008 Ford Fusion that hit head-on with a Dairy Food Service delivery truck. The car was driving north on Moscow Road crossed over the double yellow line, hitting the delivery truck head on. Officer Ray took quick action and climbed through the rear window of the car. He then stabilized the injured driver by holding her head and neck in an upright position.  When the ambulance arrived he then held the oxygen mask while the firefighters used the extraction equipment to cut the roof off of the vehicle. Officer Frazier attended to the truck driver to make sure he was okay and if he had any injuries.  The truck driver was very shaken up and seemed to be in shock. The woman driver was flown to the University of Michigan Hospital with life-threatening injuries where she was expected to recover.

· On September 9, 2011 Ryan Correctional Facilty Foodservice Officer D. Minx observed a prisoner in the Chow Hall choking on a piece of his lunch. Officer Minx approached the prisoner and performed one abdominal thrust that dislodged the piece of food. The prisoner was transported to Detroit Receiving Hospital by ambulance for a physical assessment. The prisoner returned from the hospital with no further complications. Officer D. Minx's  quick response saved the prisoner's life.

· On October 8, 2011, a prisoner collapsed in F-Unit at Cooper Street Correctional Facility.  Resident Unit Officer Amy Robertson was the first officer on scene and called for additional custody assistance, health care assistance and an ambulance.  Officers Julie Bridgewater and Gary Baxter were the next on the scene. The three of them assessed the situation and started CPR.  Sgt. Michael Marsh arrived and set up the AED. Officer Jason Carter took over rescue breaths while Baxter continued CPR.  Shock was advised and given.  There still was no pulse or breathing so CPR was continued.  Shock was once again advised.  CPR continued.  Health care arrived and asked if anyone needed a break from CPR; nobody did.  Staff still detected no pulse or breathing.  CPR was continued until the prisoner gasped for air and a pulse was detected.  The prisoner was not breathing on his own so rescue breaths were performed until an advanced life support unit arrived on-scene.  The prisoner would not have survived if not for the heroic behavior of all staff involved.

· On October 13, 2011, St. Louis Correctional Facility Resident Unit Officer Brian Nicholson was awarded the Department's Lifesaving Award by Warden Steve Rivard (Pictured Below). Nicholson was attending a high school basketball game when one of the coaches suffered a seizure. Nicholson observed the life-threatening health condition and responded to the scene. He was instrumental in providing first aid, helping to control bleeding and preventing the man from choking during the seizure.  Nicholson demonstrated a strong, sincere devotion to helping the man during this emergency situation. He is an excellent example of the character of our employees in the Michigan Department of Corrections.