On Dec. 11, 2022, at 5:47 a.m., Kenneth Sperle was exercising at Anytime Fitness in Mendota Heights when he suffered a cardiac arrest, and went unconscious. A citizen, Daniel Goodstein, was present and immediately began chest compressions. Daniel had the keen mindset to grab an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) and place the pads on Ken’s chest. Another citizen, Yohuru Williams, assisted with giving officers access to the facility and maintained a position at the front door for others to enter.
Mendota Heights Police Officer Eric Wagman arrived while the AED was analyzing Ken’s heart and recommended one shock. The AED delivered a shock and Officer Wagman began chest compressions. Officers Dan Iverson and Jared Powell arrived to assist and continued lifesaving measures with chest compressions and readying necessary equipment, such as an oxygen tank, bag valve mask and stretcher.
After five minutes, Ken began to breathe and had a pulse. MHealth Paramedics and Mendota Heights Fire Department arrived and assisted with transporting Ken to the hospital where he recovered.
On Thursday, March 23, those involved in providing live-saving care during this incident were honored at a gathering of peers, elected officials and community members, including Ken and his wife. The outstanding work of the officers who first arrived on the scene exemplifies the mission of the Mendota Heights Police Department; and the citizens, firefighters and paramedics who each played a key role in saving a life, are a perfect example of how community comes together to take care of one another.