[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 163 (2017), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 12697]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


  HONORING DEPUTY CHIEF MARK SAVAGE, PATROL SERGEANT TODD JAMES, AND 
        TROOPER JEFFREY CHMIELEWSKI OF THE COLORADO STATE PATROL

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DOUG LAMBORN

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, August 4, 2017

  Mr. LAMBORN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor three heroes in the 
Colorado State Patrol.
  Colorado State Patrol Deputy Chief Mark Savage, Patrol Sergeant Todd 
James, and Trooper Jeffrey Chmielewski selflessly and heroically acted 
quickly to save the life of Homeland Security Investigations Resident 
Agent in Charge Michael Flanagan.
  On May 3, 2017, RAC Flanagan and the CSP Troopers were mountain 
biking, off duty, in Fruita, Colorado. After a day of riding, the group 
went to dinner at a local restaurant. During the dinner, RAC Flanagan 
stated he didn't feel well and suddenly lost consciousness. Thinking 
that RAC Flanagan may be having an asthma attack, Sergeant James ran 
out to the vehicle to retrieve RAC Flanagan's asthma inhaler. While 
Sergeant James was retrieving the inhaler outside of the restaurant, 
Deputy Chief Savage and Trooper Chmielewski ascertained that RAC 
Flanagan had no pulse and was not breathing. Relying on their training, 
the troopers immediately began chest compressions and mouth-to-mouth 
resuscitation on RAC Flanagan. Sergeant James returned from the vehicle 
and took over chest compressions while Deputy Chief Savage called 911.
  It is estimated that RAC Flanagan had no pulse for approximately six 
minutes and, upon their arrival, Lower Valley Fire Department 
paramedics had to use a defibrillator multiple times, to restart RAC 
Flanagan's heart. The paramedics transported RAC Flanagan to a local 
hospital, where he was admitted to the ICU for repair to a damaged 
cardiac artery. RAC Flanagan stayed in the hospital for several days, 
made a full recovery, and is currently back to work on full duty 
status. The medical team stated that RAC Flanagan would not have 
survived without the quick-thinking action steps taken by the Troopers.
  I know that I speak for the family, friends, and loved ones of 
Michael Flanagan when I offer deep and profound thanks to Mark Savage, 
Todd James, and Jeffrey Chmielewski. These heroes represent the best 
that Colorado has to offer and I am so pleased to honor them today.

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