Students, officers recognized for helping heart attack victim

September 27, 2011

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — For acting quickly to help save the life of a University of Florida engineering professor in full cardiac arrest, two students and three police officers were recognized Friday by University of Florida Police Chief Linda Stump during a meeting of the UFPD Campus Advisory Committee.

On Aug. 31, UF students David Wasserman and Lauren Mackie gave immediate CPR to Stephen Pearton, who had collapsed in the food court area of the Reitz Student Union. Minutes later, UFPD Officers Tim Peck, Daymon Kizzar and Ken Motes arrived and assisted in performing CPR and used their department-issued automated external defibrillator, or AED. These acts kept Pearton alive until he was able to receive critical care by the emergency room staff at Shands at UF medical center.

Pearton is married to Cammy Abernathy, dean of the College of Engineering. Abernathy, who could not attend Friday’s meeting but expressed her gratitude in a letter to the lifesavers.

“I hope you can all take pride and comfort in my husband’s recovery as his restored health is directly due to your dedication,” Abernathy wrote. “Thanks to you, our 12-year-old son still has his father. I can never thank you enough.”

Stump awarded each honoree with a Police Challenge Coin, a medallion given for meritorious service.

The University of Florida Police Department maintains AEDs in all emergency response vehicles. Each officer is trained in the use of the AED every two years in conjunction with his or her individual CPR recertification. Pearton is continuing in his positive recovery from this incident.