AF firefighter saves police officer's life

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Siuta B. Ika
  • 49th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. (AFNS) --  Staff Sgt. Lionel Garcia, a 49th Civil Engineer Squadron firefighter, saved the life of a San Antonio police officer Feb. 19, while on leave visiting his family.

For Garcia, putting out building, aircraft, automobile or brush fires is just another day in the office; but thanks to his firefighter training, Garcia is also proficient in various rescue principles and procedures, which has enabled him to help people in need any time, any place.

"We left my son's birthday party and were headed back on the highway to my parent's house, and I happened to witness a police officer get hit by a passing motorist," Garcia said. "The officer landed face down on the shoulder of the highway, so I immediately pulled to the side of the road and ran over to the officer to render aid."

As Garcia approached the officer, he could see the officer needed immediate medical attention.

"I could hear him gurgling, trying to breathe, but the position he was in was causing his airway to be blocked," Garcia said. "I immediately took charge of the scene, tasking a male police officer to hold C-spine, while myself and another certified (Emergency Medical Technician) performed a blanket roll to asses him. After rolling the patient over, we removed his shirt, police utility belt, bullet proof vest, and his undershirt to perform the initial assessment."

Besides having difficulty breathing, Garcia said the officer had multiple lacerations to his face, wounds on his elbows and knees, an injury to his pelvis, and a fractured femur.

"We treated him for shock by elevating his legs and began monitoring until (Emergency Medical Services) and fire crews arrived on scene about five or six minutes later," Garcia said. "During that period, his breathing and pulse both improved, but he never regained consciousness or made any movement on his own."

The officer is expected to make a full recovery.

"I have followed the story online, and the officer underwent a 10-hour surgery the next evening," Garcia said. "The news reports all said that he will make a full recovery, and that's the most important thing right now."

Garcia credits his actions to the Air Force fire protection training he has received.

"As a firefighter, you're always trained to perform a scene size-up in your mind before you get on scene," he said. "I didn't really have that many thoughts when I saw it happen, I basically just reacted to the situation and adrenaline took over. I'm trained to do this. This is what I signed up to be a firefighter for is to help and save people."

Lieutenant Col. Donald Ohlemacher, 49th CES commander, praised Garcia for his actions.

"Once again, our Air Force firefighters' heroic actions saved a life," Ohlemacher said. "Sergeant Garcia was in the right place at the right time to take swift action and render first aid to the fallen police officer. He's one of our many great American Airmen who apply instinct and training in times of need. I'm very proud of Sergeant Garcia and his superb actions."