DETROIT (WWJ) -- Two Detroit police officers are being hailed as heroes after helping save the life of a man who collapsed during last weekend’s Detroit Free Press Marathon.
Authorities say a 26-year-old man went into cardiac arrest and collapsed near Kirby Street and Cass Avenue, near the Wayne State University campus in Midtown. Two nearby officers and a bystander were quick to jump to the rescue.
Officers Dario Sharpe and Troy Wesley were on routine patrol in the area when the runner collapsed. Both officers ran against the grain of marathon runners to get to the victim, Detroit Police Chief James White said.
The officers started chest compressions, while a bystander in the crowd did rescue breaths, which the officers called amazing, “especially during a time like this with COVID.”
“Day in, day out, this is an example of the DPD at its best,” White said in a video posted to the police department’s Twitter page Saturday. “This is what we do. That’s what our officers are out there doing day in and day out.”
The runner was taken to Henry Ford Hospital and was last said to be recovering.
White said other officers helped to block traffic to allow EMS to get the runner to the hospital.
“That’s just amazing work and I’m a very proud chief. That’s just outstanding work,” White said.
The officers, however, said it was just part of doing their jobs.
"I just did it as part of a job it is what DPD trained us to do," Sharp said.
"I’m quite sure any police officer would have done the same thing but i’m just glad we were there to save this young man," Wesley said.