Public Safety officers save life of runner

Two University of North Georgia (UNG) Public Safety officers have been credited with saving the life of a runner on July 4.

Bryan Schuler collapsed while running in the Firecracker 5K. Sgt. Brody Clements and Officer Madison Comer responded to the scene near the Holly Theater in historic downtown Dahlonega, Georgia.

"I checked the subject, and he was breathing intermittingly at first then he stopped," Clements said. "I started chest compressions and executed approximately 40 compressions and then the subject came back to us."

Schuler was taken to a nearby hospital.

"Our incredible team of professionals does not hesitate when confronted with emergencies. I am very proud of the way they serve our campuses and communities," Greg Williams, UNG director of Public Safety and chief of police, said.

Williams said he has received multiple messages from community members about the quick actions of the officers, including one from Caleb Poole, a resident of Dahlonega.

"While passing through town with my wife, we witnessed Sergeant Clements and Officer Comer providing extremely high-quality CPR to a downed runner," Poole said. "My wife and I decided to stop in case they needed assistance during CPR, but your two officers were able to get a pulse back, turn the subject to his side, maintain his airway, and provide overall amazing aid until handing him off to EMS. I cannot tell you how impressed I am with how Clements and the other officer performed. You should be extremely proud of how they performed and represented the agency."

All UNG police officers are trained to administer CPR/AED, and various other life-saving measures in the event of a medical emergency until medical professionals can arrive, and Clements and Comer reverted to their training to save a person's life, Williams said.

The training process for UNG's Public Safety is a priority, Sgt. Trent McGuffey said, adding that officers keep up with their training and re-certification.  

Lumpkin County Sheriff Stacy Jarrard commended the officers' quick action.

"Due to the officers' response, I truly believe this was a life-saving event. I'm not a doctor, but it looked like his vitals stopped and the officers regained his vitals," Jarrard said. "It would have been a different outcome if they weren't present."