PG County Cop Nearly Dies from CO Leak in His Cruiser, is Saved by Lifelong Friend

SEAT PLEASANT, MD — A Prince George's County police officer has his friend to thank for saving his life after he passed out while idling in a cruiser that had a carbon monoxide leak.

Police Officer First Class Ricardo Biddy, who is also a Seat Pleasant Volunteer EMT, was leaving the firehouse in his PG County police cruiser in the early morning hours of March 3 while on the phone with his friend, fellow Seat Pleasant volunteer EMT Phil Martin, according to a report from the Prince George's County Police Department.

As Biddy sat in his cruiser idling in front of his home, his speech became "slurred and incoherent," and then the call disconnected, the report states.

"EMT Martin, knowing something could be horribly wrong, immediately called public safety communications who dispatched Police and Fire/EMS," the report adds. "Martin then jumped in his personal vehicle and traced Officer Biddy’s route home. Once Martin located the cruiser, he found Biddy unresponsive inside. Other emergency units soon arrived and rushed Biddy to the hospital where he got the help he needed."

Authorities discovered that his cruiser was leaking carbon monoxide. Fortunately, it doesn't appear to be a problem for any of the other cruisers. This particular cruiser had been repaired in January with work done on the engine's manifold, which was later discovered to have a crack.

Biddy and Martin have known each other since they were 7 years old. Martin was given the PG County Fire Department's Emergency Service Award for his "quick thinking and immediate action to help save the life of a fellow member and friend."

Image via PGPD