To the editor:

Lawrence Police Officers Mik Shanks and Eric Barkley responded to my emergency on Dec. 21, after the KU basketball game, in the east parking lot at Allen Fieldhouse. I do not know what brought the officers to my side so quickly, but a 911 call had been put out by a passerby and Officer Shanks was on traffic duty on 18th Street. Also a doctor from Salina, Chad Schroeder, stopped to help. This was immediately after the game, so the traffic was heavy, which slowed the response by the paramedics getting into the parking lot.

I had suffered cardiac arrest caused by heart fibrillations, which caused me to lose consciousness. There is no question the quick arrival and application of CPR saved my life. There appears to be evidence, in fact, that my heart had nearly, if not fully, stopped. The electric shock defibrillator, after repeated use, got my heart going again. During this time, the paramedics arrived and started their procedures with eventual transportation to Lawrence Memorial Hospital. I was then taken to St. Luke’s Hospital in Kansas City, where an implantable cardioverter defibrillator was inserted into my chest to guard against future fibrillations. I am now recovering at my home with a good prognosis for the future.

I am, and the people of Lawrence should be, extremely proud of the two officers for their outstanding duty in this case. Both officers were fully trained to handle the problem and should be commended for outstanding service to their profession and the people of Lawrence. These good men and the paramedics saved my life and I honor them.

Bill J. Brooks,

Lawrence