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US Capitol Police Officers and DC Fire and EMS Crews Recognized for Saving a Life

Tuesday, December 14, 2021
Mother of two reunited with her rescuers

USCP Officers & DC Fire and EMS Crews Recognized For Saving a Life
Mother of two reunited with her rescuers

(Washington, DC) On Tuesday, December 14, 2021, six United States Capitol Police officers and seven members of the DC Fire and EMS Department were honored for saving the life of a Capitol Hill mother of two.

The rescue happened just before 7:00 am on Wednesday, October 27.

US Rep. Vicky Hartzler found jogger Delya Sommerville on the ground near the South Barricade and immediately alerted the Capitol Police.

A USCP sergeant, four First Responders Unit officers, and a K-9 tech rushed to help Mrs. Sommerville who had suffered a heart attack. She was not breathing and did not have a pulse.

K-9 Tech Kevin Grebeck performed CPR, while Officer Mikayla Brower administered an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) to re-start the patient’s heartbeat. Officer Dean Wolski, Officer Derek Conrad, and Officer Kyle O’Keefe assisted, while Sergeant Corey Rogers led the response and communication.

DC Fire and EMS crews arrived on scene and continued the chain of survival. Their initial assessment discovered the officers’ CPR and AED shock did in fact result in a return of pulses. Fire and EMS crews then moved into supporting respiration, securing the patient’s airway, starting an IV, and continuing advanced life support while transporting her to a STEMI center; a hospital that specializes in cardiac emergencies. Mrs. Sommerville underwent cardiac surgery."

“I am so glad to see that Delya Sommerville has recovered from her emergency and am thankful God put me in a position to play a small role in helping alert safety officers to assist,” said Rep. Hartzler. “We owe a great debt of gratitude to these heroic Capitol Police Officers who sprang into action to save her life.  I especially want to commend Officer Kevin Grebeck who arrived first on the scene, immediately began the needed medical assessments, and administered CPR which restored her life.”

She is now recovering at home with her two school-aged children as well as her husband.

“The word ‘hero’ is thrown around a lot these days, but that is exactly what these officers are—heroes,” said USCP Acting Assistant Chief Sean Gallagher. “We applaud the quick action from the Congresswoman and are thankful for our strong partnership with DC Fire & EMS.”

“Minutes count, seconds count and thanks in great part to the Capitol Police officers, this mother is now back home,” said DC Fire and EMS Chief John A. Donnelly, Sr., “and she has her whole life ahead of her thanks to the critical and quick actions taken while our crews were en route to the scene.”

On Tuesday, Mrs. Sommerville reunited with her rescuers.

“They are my heroes, our heroes,” said Ms. Sommerville, “they do it because of who they are and their calling to help others. They saved my life, and I can be with my family and friends right now because of them. We will never be able to thank them enough.”

The U.S. Capitol Police Department presented Live Saving awards to K-9 Tech Kevin Grebeck and Officer Mikayla Brower.

The following DC Fire & EMS employees received the USCP’s Medal of Merit:

  • Captain Brent Panek
  • Lieutenant Joey Keller
  • Firefighter/Paramedic Michael Bernardo
  • Firefighter/Paramedic Ryan Crowell
  • Firefighter/EMT Kendall Gibson
  • Firefighter/EMT Liliana Luevano
  • Firefighter/EMT Naim Crawford

DC Fire and EMS presented Cardiac Save Coins to everyone who contributed as a link in the chain of Mrs. Sommerville’s survival.

Photos from today’s event will be posted on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram shortly following the event.