Mom Saves Police Officer From Deadly Allergy Attack Using Son's EpiPen

CLEVELAND, OH — Usually, in an emergency, the police are quick to respond to community members, but the script was flipped last weekend in Cleveland when an officer suffered a life-threatening health scare until a resident came to the rescue.

Sgt. Ray O’Connor and his partner, Officer Brooklyn Barnes, were attending a back-to-school festival Saturday at Friendly Inn when O’Connor, who is lethally allergic to bees, was stung twice, according to a Facebook post from the Cleveland Police Fourth District. O'Connor had forgotten his EpiPen and fell to the ground, losing consciousness.

That’s when resident Tomika Johnson sprang into action, running home to grab her 10-year-old son’s EpiPen and returning in seconds. Barnes administered the EpiPen and rushed O’Connor to the hospital, where he received medical attention before being transferred to the intensive care unit.

By Wednesday, O’Connor was able to pay a visit to Johnson and her son, Zaire, whose birthday was Monday. He and Barnes brought Zaire gifts and a $100 gift card. Both Zaire and his mother will be recognized at a ceremony in October and receive the city’s Citizen Award.

“Zaire and Ms. Johnson are our heroes,” the Facebook post said.

In the comments, Johnson wrote, “no thanks needed.”

“… just glad I was able to offer assistance to you,” she wrote. “God bless you … thank you for your service sir!”