Officers, firefighter commended for recent life-saving response

Four City of Cleveland employees are being hailed as heroes for their quick work to save a life.

During the Cleveland City Council’s Feb. 8 meeting, Officer Denton Vaughan, Cpl. Brandon Wood and Sgt. Brandon Landress with the Cleveland Police Department, and Payton Cagle with the Cleveland Fire Department, were presented letters of commendation for their response in saving a woman who had overdosed on Feb. 2.

According to the letter, Vaughan was the first officer on the scene at the apartment complex and saw a mother trying to give her adult daughter CPR. The woman’s face and neck were blue, and her fingers and toes were a bluish purple color. The mother estimated that her daughter may have been down for about 30 minutes, in the near freezing temperature.

Vaughan could not find a pulse on the woman and began CPR. Wood arrived and assisted, while Landress administered Narcan, which is used to counter overdoses. As Cagle arrived and took over CPR efforts, the officers continued to assist him when a pulse was not detected. They soon noticed her hand move, and were able to find a pulse. The woman then sat up and was able to speak.

“The quick, decisive actions, and determination of these officers and this firefighter, not only saved this young woman’s life, but saved her mother and her children from an insufferable loss,” the letter of commendation read. “Their actions reflect highly upon themselves, their profession, this department, and the City of Cleveland.”

“I’m just super proud of these guys,” said CPD Maj. Aaron Weiland. “I’m just impressed every day by what they do. I just couldn’t be prouder.”