In honor of Christmas in July, Shippensburg University proudly commemorates Ship alumni Officers Amel Hajdarevic and Jason Brady for their heroic actions on December 25, 2023.
What started as a routine patrol for Silver Spring Township officers quickly became a life-saving mission. Officers Hajdarevic and Brady responded to an urgent call regarding a man in cardiac arrest. They quickly arrived on the scene, and thanks to their prompt response and intensive training, they saved a life. This act of bravery shows the dedication and expertise of Officers Hajdarevic and Brady, who exemplify the importance of rigorous training and preparedness within the police force.
On the day of the incident, Hajdarevic had recently completed his field training program and was on the first shift with Brady. The call came in at 11:40 AM, and Hajdarevic immediately took action.
“I had just finished my field training, and this was my first shift with Officer Brady. We were dispatched to attend to an unresponsive male who wasn’t breathing,” he recalled.
Upon arrival, Hajdarevic immediately secured his department-issued AED and entered the basement where the patient was. He handed the AED to a family member and provided clear instructions for its application while beginning CPR. “The most significant challenge we encountered was the confined nature of the room where the patient was located… this required us to strategize and adapt our approach to address the situation”, Hajdarevic explained.
Brady, who was patrolling on the other side of the township, arrived at the scene shortly after. “Once I got there, Officer Hajdarevic was performing CPR and had the AED pads on the gentleman. My first actions were to clear the man’s airways. Once the AED shock didn’t work, Officer Hajdarevic and I rotated, and I began doing CPR.” Brady explained. The officers then took turns administering CPR, rotating every two minutes to prevent fatigue and ensure that the patient was receiving the best care.
The confined space was tough to navigate, especially once EMS personnel arrived with their equipment. “We needed to make sure not a second went by without the gentleman getting care, and that the transition from our care to EMS was smooth”, Brady noted. Despite these challenges, the officers maintained clear communication and teamwork.
Both Hajdarevic and Brady credited their specialized training for their ability to handle the emergency. “We undergo extensive and recurring training in medical procedures, including annual CPR certification and first aid training,” Hajdarevic said. Brady agreed, emphasizing regular First Aid and CPR retraining.
“EMS personnel are the experts when it comes to medical calls. But for instances where we happen to be first on the scene, we need to know what to do to make sure things do not worsen before they arrive”, Brady said.
Looking back on the incident, the experience has had a great impact on Hajdarevic, both personally and professionally. “It crystallized the understanding that cardiac arrest can strike at any moment, underscoring the crucial necessity for individuals to be equipped with the knowledge and skills to effectively address such critical emergencies”.
For Brady, the situation reinforced the unpredictable nature of being a police officer. “Professionally it reiterated to me that no matter what the circumstances of your shift are, within seconds it can change. It was a quiet Christmas day, and in the blink of an eye I was driving to a cardiac arrest call. It has reminded me that no day is a routine day. Personally, it taught me that this can happen to anyone, and to never take life for granted”, he reflected.
The heroic rescue on Christmas Day shows the true dedication and vigilance of the Silver Spring Township Police. Through rigorous training, effective teamwork and quick action, Officers Hajdarevic and Brady exemplified the essential role of law enforcement in emergency medical situations. Their efforts not only saved a life but also highlighted the importance of ongoing medical training for police officers, establishing that they are ready to handle emergencies whenever and wherever they may arise.
