(WSVN) - A Manatee County Sheriff’s Office deputy is being hailed a hero after brushing off some old skills during a medical emergency.
MCSO Sgt. Brett Getman is lucky to be alive after he suffered a heart attack on the job.
“I know I have a second chance at this life, and I know that I have something more to give,” he said.
Getman was making an arrest on Dec. 19 before arriving at the MSCO substation on Anna Maria Island.
“I started doing my report, and I blacked out,” Getman recalled.
Thankfully for Getman, deputy Jared Leggett was by his side; the deputy could not find a pulse, so he started CPR by hand.
“From that point forward, it was on. The race was on,” said Leggett.
He grabbed an AED that was nearby, and eventually Getman’s heart began beating again; the immediate CPR helped his outcome.
“It will save a life. It has proven that, and Sergeant Getman is a perfect example of how important CPR is to this world,” said Leggett.
The American Heart Association of Tampa Bay said only 46% of people feel comfortable giving CPR, but they are working to change that.
“It’s a lot easier than you think. You only need to know two steps, that’s — call 911 and push hard and push fast until help arrives,” said Johnny Johnson with the association.
Getman believes someone was watching over him as most days Leggett fills out reports from his cruiser.
“All the stars aligned that day that he was in the office and not somewhere else doing other work,” said Getman. “I have guardian angels. I like to call them these days because, if he wasn’t there, I would not be here.”
Leggett started his assignment on Anna Maria only two weeks before this incident.
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