Officers Save Man Who Suffered Heart Attack at Gym

CANTON, GA -- The tools and quick-thinking of two Canton police officers helped save the life of a man who collapsed at a local gym.

The officers, Jimmy Butler and Patrick Duncan, are being hailed as heroes following the patron's health crisis at CrossFit Canton Gym in late April.

Police were dispatched to a person down call just before 5 p.m. April 26 at the facility at 857 Hickory Flat Highway.

Officers learned that Justin Marion, 41, collapsed during a workout, and CPR was being administered by gym co-owner Karen Camps.

Duncan whipped out his assigned Automatic Electronic Defibrillator (AED) as Butler took over the CPR maneuver.

Duncan prepped Marion for AED deployment as Butler continued with CPR and Camps implored the patient to breathe and "stay with us!"

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One shock from the AED was delivered, and Butler continued to perform CPR. Camps continued to encourage Marion to breathe, and he eventually responded to those commands.

Canton firefighters arrived, took over treatment and transported Marion to Northside Hospital-Cherokee for follow-up care.

Marion learned he suffered a heart attack and was afflicted with a "substantial" amount of blockage in an artery near his heart, according to Canton police.

Doctors told the 41-year-old that he would not have survived the attack if it weren't "for the efforts of the gym owner and our officers with the AED," Canton police said.

“Our officers and Ms. Camps were extremely calm, collected and worked as a team during this serious life or death situation," Police Chief Mark Mitchell said. "We are very happy that Mr. Marion is on his way to recovery. The addition of the AED to our fleet further enhances our abilities to protect, serve and improve the quality of life for our community.”

Both officers will receive the department's Life Saving Award at the June 2 Canton City Council meeting for their heroic efforts.

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Photo: Patrick Duncan, left, and Jimmy Butler. Credit: Canton Police Department