SEATTLE — Seattle Police officer and certified EMT Kevin Oshikawa-Clay knows what it’s like to be in the right place at the right time.
Just a week into paternity leave following the birth of his second child, Officer Oshikawa-Clay took a breather from his parental duties for an evening soccer match at Asa Mercer Middle School, and ultimately provided life-saving CPR to a man who suffered cardiac arrest. Today, Seattle Fire Chief Harold Scoggins honored Officer Oshikawa-Clay and his family at Seattle Fire Headquarters, presenting him with a letter of appreciation and recognizing him for his life saving actions.
The medical emergency occurred on a warm June evening about midway through the soccer game when a 42 year old man on the opposing team suddenly collapsed. Officer Oshikawa-Clay and one of his team mates, a medical doctor, rushed to his side.
Officer Oshikaway-Clay and the doctor quickly observed that the patient wasn’t breathing. Officer Oshikawa-Clay immediately launched into CPR. Other soccer players ran about 300 yards to Asa Mercer Middle School in search of an automated external defibrillator (AED). The soccer players had the good fortune to get the attention of a janitor, who directed them to the location of an onsite AED.
Officer Oshikawa-Clay and the doctor deployed the AED, delivering one shock. Seattle Fire Department Medics arrived soon after and delivered another shock with their own AED. All told, Kevin supported the patient with CPR for nearly 10 minutes.
While this unfortunate incident had a happy outcome – the patient has made a full recovery – this is definitely a case where proper training, equipment, and good fortune played a significant role.
Every Seattle Police officer is trained in CPR. Thanks to the generous contributions of Craig Tall and the Seattle Police Foundation, every Seattle Police patrol car is equipped with an AED.
The coincidences don’t end with Officer Oshikawa-Clay being an EMT. Officer Oshikawa-Clay’s wife Sara works for the Medic One Foundation. The patient’s wife works for AED manufacturer Physio Control.
This is Officer Oshikawa-Clay’s second life save. He saved a woman in 2016 when he administered department issued naloxone to an overdose victim.