CPR training helps officer revive ailing woman at Piggly Wiggly

Performing CPR on an ailing woman who had stopped breathing earned Columbus Police Officer Jason Carden Officer of the Month honor for February.

Carden, 33, said it was just a day on his parttime job that called for his training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation . “ I didn’t think it was that big of a deal,” he said. “I guess it’s good to be recognized. It’s just a normal day at work.”

Witnesses at the Piggly Wiggly credited Carden with saving the life of a woman who fell to the floor behind the cash registers at 910 Brown Ave. She was not breathing and appeared to be turning purple during the 7:15 p.m. incident on Feb. 9.

A man shopping at the store said the officer took charge of the emergency and started CPR. The officer had performed several rounds of CPR and the witness thought he was about to stop when the woman vomited and became responsive.

A store cashier also said the officer’s actions saved the woman’s life.

By the time the ambulance arrived, firefighter Richard Barfield said the woman had a pulse and was breathing. The woman likely would not have survived without the actions of the officer, he said.

Police Sgt. N. Wade Cook, Carden’s supervisor, praised the officer’s efforts to help the ailing woman . “His quick response to the ailing female and CPR efforts were truly extraordinary and likely saved her life,” he said. “Officer Carden should be strongly considered for a department award as he showed exceptional care for the life of another.”

Carden, who works in the Bureau of Patrol Services, has been at the department for seven years and nominated more than three times for an officer honor but this is his first recognition.

He plans to make law enforcement his career.

He arrived in Columbus after leaving the Marines in 2005. He was attending Columbus State University when he filled out a job application. “Law enforcement is my career,” he said. “It’s my chosen career,” he said.

This story was originally published April 7, 2016 at 4:53 PM with the headline "CPR training helps officer revive ailing woman at Piggly Wiggly."