Merriam Police Officer Beau Soucie accepted a Life Saving Award at the April 22 City Council meeting.

On March 15, Officer Soucie took a medical call at the Shawnee Mission School District’s operations and maintenance facility. Officer Soucie started CPR on a 31-year-old man, whose heart had stopped beating.

Officer Soucie said training – along with a handful of similar police calls requiring him to give chest compressions – took over. Officer Soucie said the experience helped him remain calm when he administered an automated external defibrillator to help revive the man.

“I am grateful to receive this award, but I would give most of the credit to the medical and fire personnel that took over upon their arrival,” Officer Soucie said. “I was fortunate they responded quickly after I arrived.”

According to the American Heart Association, only 10 percent of those who have a cardiac arrest outside a hospital survive. That number can jump up to 45 percent if a bystander is able to get to the person quickly.

“This is the first time I responded to a life-threatening medical call where the individual survived,” Officer Soucie said. “It’s a good feeling.”

“We are very proud of Officer Soucie,” Acting Police Chief Todd Allen said. “He’s a very good officer and an asset to our department.”

Officer Soucie has served on the Merriam Police Department for two years.