KCSO deputy honored with Lifesaving Award

COEUR d'ALENE - A Kootenai County Sheriff's deputy was honored with the office's Lifesaving Award Wednesday for his efforts in aiding an elderly man suffering a major cardiac event.

Deputy Matt Edmunds was on duty at the Kootenai County Administration building on Nov. 1 when a 72-year-old man, who was in town with his fiancee getting a marriage license, began suffering from a significant disturbance in his heartbeat.

According to a press release from the sheriff's office, Edmunds immediately radioed for medical assistance at the Kootenai County Recorder's Office.

"Shortly after calling for medical, Deputy Edmunds advised he was starting CPR on the male," the release states. "A little over a minute later, Deputy Edmunds advised the male was again conscious, but still in distress."

Paramedics arrived at the office and transported the man to Kootenai Health, where he was prepared for emergency cardiac surgery. The release stated a paramedic from the scene said the elderly man was in such "significant cardiac arrhythmia" that there was no way Edmunds could have detected a pulse.

"It was the belief of the medics on scene that Deputy Edmunds' actions were directly responsible for saving the man's life," the release stated.