Detroit officers step in to help save marathon runner who went into cardiac arrest

Victim lost pulse twice

DETROIT – Neighborhood police officers Dario Sharp and Troy Wesley recall the crucial moments they had to spring into action to revive a runner who nearly died at the Detroit Free Press Marathon. The event took place Sunday.

“I was just hoping that he wasn’t going to die on me. I checked for a pulse. It was very, very faint and we started chest compressions,” said Sharp.

Thankfully other good samaritans were there to help. Despite the pandemic one woman decided to give the victim rescue breaths, a necessary part of CPR.

“The compression was the most important thing to keep it going, so my partner and our communication back and forth. I think It just kicked in really good,” said Wesley.

After losing a pulse twice, the victim was able to finally be rushed to the hospital. The officers had to block traffic to make way for the ambulance. They also had to make their way through the crowd of runners.

“We were going against the runners. So, it was a pretty complex situation but, we made it happen,” Sharp added.

Thankfully we are told the young man is stable, but unfortunately hasn’t made a full recovery. Either way, police chief James White says it’s a proud day for the Detroit Police Department.

“Officer Wesley and officer Sharp are heroes. That’s what we’re here for. That’s what we do. And I just could not be prouder of them,” said White.

And the Detroit Free Press Marathon is chiming in with praise for these officers. They sent Local 4 News this statement attributed to Detroit Marathon Vice President, Aaron Velthoven.

”We are grateful to our first responders, Detroit Police Department, Henry Ford Health System and Medstar for providing emergency medical support to our participants on race day,” said Velthoven.

RELATED: Detroit marathon returns to city after in-person race canceled in 2020


About the Authors:

Victor Williams joined Local 4 News in October of 2019 after working for WOIO in Cleveland, OH, WLOX News in Biloxi, MS, and WBBJ in Jackson, TN. Victor developed a love for journalism after realizing he was a great speaker and writer at an early age.