State College police officer given Life-Saving Award for efforts
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (WTAJ) – State College's Police Department is celebrating the quick action of one of its officers and two bystanders who helped save a woman's life.
Ruth Etters was shopping with her daughter when she began having trouble breathing and fell. SCPD Officer Karin Thomas was called to the scene and confirmed that Etters was in cardiac arrest. Thomas, along with the help of two medically trained bystanders Amanda Breindel and Heather Graham, performed CPR and administered shocks through the store's AED machine.
'I just did what anybody would have done in my shoes had they received the call,' Thomas said. 'We do what we have to do to save a life.'
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After nine minutes of chest compressions, Etters regained a pulse. She was taken to Mount Nittany Medical Center where she made a full recovery.
'I want to thank everybody who saved my life,' Etters said.
For her efforts, Thomas received the Life-Saving Award. Both Breindel and Graham were officially recognized by SCPD Chief John Gardner as well. He says his officers hope medical emergencies never have to happen, but are trained to answer the call when they are needed.
'It speaks volumes about the type of community we have here,' Gardner said. 'In an age where people are so unwilling to get involved, we had two citizens step up to the plate and assist our officer in this. Because of those efforts, this young woman has a second chance at life.'
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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