LINCOLN, Neb. — On Wednesday, the Nebraska State Patrol honored seven people for their efforts in saving the life of a former state senator who suffered a heart attack in the State Capitol building.
The patrol honored Speaker Mike Flood and Dr. Dale Michels with public service awards, said spokeswoman Deb Collins.
Honored with lifesaver awards were Troopers Kyle Gress and Wesley Peters and Capitol Security Officers Tim Meguire, Karl Eisbach and Frank Holland.
The awards recognized quick response when former State Sen. Tom Vickers suffered a heart attack in a hallway south of the Legislative chambers on Feb. 13, Collins said.
Vickers was revived with an automated external defibrillator, which shocked the heart back into rhythm. He then was taken by ambulance to a hospital.
Along with the awards, a new defibrillator was donated by LifeGuard M.D. to the Capitol building, Collins said.
She said there are now four defibrillators in the building.
Bryan Tuma, superintendent of the Nebraska State Patrol, said, "Without the dedication and training of those involved, the outcome could have been drastically different."
