Officer Clifton Cox (Maryland Heights, MO) received the Red Cross Lifesaver Award for using an Automated External Defibrillator to save Robert Kennedy, of Belleview, Nebraska, when he collapsed from cardiac arrest in a hotel room. Kennedy’s son-in-law, Mike Johnson, of Belleview, Nebraska, also received the Lifesaver Award for starting CPR before Officer Cox arrived. Through the Red Cross Lifesaver Awards, sponsored by AAA, the Red Cross has celebrated more than 400 local citizens who were able to save a life through training in CPR and First Aid. Pictured from left to right: Mary Jo Blackwood (Board Member, American Red Cross), Officer Clifton Cox, Robert Kennedy, Mike Johnson, and Cindy Erickson (CEO, American Red Cross).

Last May, Robert Kennedy and his family made the trip from Belleview, Nebraska, to be in St. Louis for a family member’s graduation. Robert and his wife, Barb, along with their daughter and son-in-law, Mike Johnson, were sharing a two-room suite in Maryland Heights.

That evening, in the hotel room, Robert suddenly collapsed. His family rushed to his side—and while one of them called 911, Mike says he knew just enough about CPR to get started trying to restore Robert’s heart rhythm. The police dispatcher helped walk Mike through the steps.

Robert’s wife Barb recalls her fear in those first moments: a widow once before because her first husband had a heart attack, she remembers thinking, “Not again!”

Within minutes, Officer Clif Cox arrived, and with him was an Automated External Defibrillator (AED). The size of a small backpack, these devices can immensely improve chances of surviving cardiac arrest. Trained as a Professional Rescuer in CPR and AED, Officer Cox applied the AED’s pads, and as the machine indicated, he delivered a shock.

It took several more shocks before the ambulance arrived—and a couple more shocks even inside the ambulance on the way to the ER. But Robert survived that sudden cardiac arrest and is with his family today.

Robert’s doctors say he had the best possible outcome from this event—he had a family member nearby to call for help and start CPR; the police were nearby and had an AED available; and he was rushed to the Emergency Room within 15 minutes of losing consciousness.

Robert and his family traveled back to St. Louis to thank Officer Cox for saving his life.

To sign up for a CPR or First Aid class, click here.