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SILVER LAKE - James Frieden immediately investigated the noise, a "thump" he heard in the kitchen April 23, where Margaret, his wife of more than 50 years, was preparing lunch.
Margaret was lying on the floor unresponsive. James called 911 and began cardio-pulmonary resuscitation.
"You know what I thought," James said with a shaky voice and tears in his eyes Tuesday. "I thought she was gone. We've only been married 56 years."
James, a former EMT, continued CPR until help arrived in the form of Silver Lake deputy marshal Jason McGlennen. McGlennen came with an automatic external defibrillator.
He immediately attached the AED to Margaret, whose heart had indeed stopped beating.
EMTs from South Central Kosciusko EMS arrived shortly, taking over immediate emergency care, and difibrillated Margaret twice prior to the arrival of Multi-Township paramedics. She was transported to Kosciusko Community Hospital.
Tuesday at the Health and Wellness Center, McGlennen was recognized as the first officer to save a life with the portable AEDs, while Frieden, South Central EMS EMTs, Multi-Township paramedics and community members looked on.
Kosciusko County 21st Century Foundation purchased 68 AEDs through a grant for county sheriff and police cars. The cost was $112,000.
Winona Lake patrolman Carl Love applied for the grant a year ago.
They were distributed to certified patrolmen and sheriff's deputies in January, the same month McGlennen was hired as a deputy in Silver Lake. Today is his 28th birthday.
"It unzips pretty quick," McGlennen said during the recognition ceremony. "Was hoping I did everything right. I was nervous but the machine 'talks' to you. I thought I would have to use it eventually ... not this soon."
The officer did do everything right - Margaret Frieden returned home to the care of her devoted husband Wednesday.
Willis Alt Jr., K21 president, said the equipment is some of the best money the foundation has ever spent.
"One life has been saved," Alt said. "According to our population and statistics from the American Heart Association, we may expect to save about four lives a year. This is just the first."
McGlennen's boss, Silver Lake town marshal Craig Hollopeter, had nothing but praise for his young officer. "It's just great," he said of the deputy's action.
KCH EMS Trauma Coordinator Carla Gebert and David Haines, M.D., also praised the deputy and the AED program.
"If you can count to three you can use the AED," Gebert said. "They are very important to have in the squad cars because police officers are often there [at the scene of an emergency] before anyone else."
The portable AEDs are part of the Public Access for Defibrillation Program. Dr. Haines is the medical director who signed for the program.
Kosciusko is one of the few counties in the state with a PAD program.
"We wanted equipment every patrolman would feel comfortable using. You obviously felt comfortable," Haines said to McGlennen. "You saved a life, If it's not being used, it won't save a life."
The American Heart Association has determined that early defibrillation, within four to six minutes, is the "single greatest advance in treatment of sudden cardiac arrest since the development of CPR."
The association has also determined the use of defibrillation through PAD programs has increased pre-hospital cardiac arrest survival rates as high as 49 percent compared to 5 percent without the early treatment.
