Police Officers of the Month - February 2005

On the evening of February 19, 2004, Lt. Dennis McCavera of the Old Westbury Police Department was returning from visiting his son in the Washington D.C. area. He stopped at the Chesapeake House Welcome Center, which is located in Maryland on Interstate 95 ­ 12 miles south of the Delaware state line, for gas and a container of coffee.

While exiting the Sunoco gas station, Lt. McCavera noticed an elderly couple in the rear of the store. The woman appeared to be in distress. Her husband was holding her up in an attempt to prevent her from falling. Lt. McCavera responded to render assistance and realized that the woman was unconscious and not breathing. Lt. McCavera instructed the store clerk to call 911 for medical assistance.

The Lt. immediately placed the woman on the ground and quickly assessed her condition. The woman was in respiratory distress, but still had a very faint pulse. Lt. McCavera began mouth to mouth resuscitation. While administering mouth to mouth, the Maryland State Police arrived.

Unfortunately, they do not carry oxygen or any resuscitation equipment. Lt. McCavera continued mouth to mouth and after some time, the woman began breathing on her own. EMS arrived, administered oxygen and transported the woman to the hospital.

According to the Maryland State Police, the woman suffered a severe asthma attack. Maryland State Police confirmed that without the quick action of Lt. McCavera this woman would have surely died.