Fairfield Police Lieutenant Honored With Lifesaving Award

FAIRFIELD, CT — Fairfield Police Lieutenant James Perez was recently presented with the Lifesaving Award for helping to save an elderly man’s life at a local gym in 2018. Perez was in the immediate area of the gym on Oct. 18, 2018, when he heard the dispatch call of an elderly man going into cardiac arrest at the gym.

Perez responded and initiated CPR on the victim until the arrival of EMTs who took over treatment. The victim was revived and was ultimately released from the hospital two weeks later, according to police.

“In a letter, Dr. Stephen Valassis, Chairperson of the Emergency Department at Saint Vincent's Medical Center wrote, ‘...survival from cardiac arrest is a rare event. It is even more rare that the patient leaves the hospital with a good outcome.’ He goes on to write, ‘Lieutenant Perez's prompt actions were an integral part of saving the victims life,’” according to a post on the Fairfield Police Department’s Facebook page.

“Lieutenant Perez was the initial first responder on scene and took swift and critical action in the initial minutes that were crucial to saving the life of a member of our community. Lieutenant Perez has brought great credit upon himself, our profession, and the Fairfield Police Department. He is most deserving of the lifesaving award.”

Officer Michael Mazzocchi was also honored at the Fairfield Police Commission’s meeting earlier this month with the Distinguished Service Award.