[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 88 (Tuesday, May 21, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E529]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





                    RECOGNIZING DEPUTY CHRIS DOWNEY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GUS M. BILIRAKIS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 21, 2024

  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor the 
service of one of my constituents, Deputy Chris Downey, of the Hernando 
County Sheriff's Office. On February 13, 2024 Deputy Downey responded, 
along with School Guardian Brent Coleman, to a 13 year-old student 
having a medical emergency in a common area at the school which is at 
the base of a large set of stairs. The student was found face down and 
unresponsive to verbal or physical stimulus. Due to the perceived 
method of injury (fall) the student was carefully rolled to his back 
while maintaining control of his head and neck. The student was found 
to have an erratic pulse and was not breathing. CPR was initiated and 
an AED and EMS was requested. Upon application of the AED, a shock was 
recommended. Shock was applied by the device and CPR continued. This 
and two additional cycles were completed before a non-shockable rhythm 
was established. The student was air-lifted to a children's trauma 
center where he underwent a procedure to correct the medical condition. 
Investigation revealed that the initial assumption of a fall was 
incorrect. The child had navigated the stairs just fine and collapsed 
after exiting the stairs due to a previously undiagnosed medical 
condition. The child has since returned to school and is in good 
spirits. It has been well-established that, without the swift actions 
of both Deputy Downey and School Guardian Brent Coleman, this child 
would not have survived this medical episode. This is just one example 
of the hard work, dedication, eagerness to help, and servant leadership 
that Deputy Downey exhibits every day he comes to work. Deputy Downey 
is a shining example of what it means to be a Hernando County Law 
Enforcement Officer. His work ethic should be a benchmark for which 
other law enforcement officers should strive to attain. It is evident 
that Deputy Downey has made a profoundly positive impact on our 
community and is qualified to be recognized as a First Responder of the 
Year for Florida's 12th Congressional District.

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