FRANKFORT, Ky. October 7 2018  An ordinary day became “crazy” for two Capitol Facilities Security Officers, who performed CPR on a man who suffered a heart attack during a meeting in the building last month.

Officers Roger Swiger and Casey Mahoney were named Kentucky Colonels by Gov. Matt Bevin during a ceremony in the Governor’s office.

Raoul Cunningham, 75, the longtime president of the Kentucky NAACP, was attending the State Board of Elections meeting on Sept. 18 at the Capitol when he collapsed.

Swiger was summoned to the meeting room and immediately began performing CPR.  Mahoney arrived a few minutes later.

“We had just got our re-certifications that morning,” Swiger said.  “My sergeant handed us the new cards, told us to throw the old one away, and three hours later I’m on a man’s chest.  Wow!  It was crazy.”

“I just happened to be in the right place at the right time,” said Mahoney.  “I wasn’t supposed to be here.”

“I’m just glad he showed up when he did,” Swiger said.  “It was exhausting and seemed like I was administering CPR forever.  Casey was able to relieve me.”

“In this instance there were people that were prepared to respond as you did, and you literally saved his life,” Bevin told the two.  “On behalf of the commonwealth, I am grateful to you for remembering your training and living it to the degree that you did.”

Both Swiger and Mahoney have been facilities security officers for four years, and say it was the first time they were ever called upon to provide medical assistance at the Capitol, although all officers undergo the training.

Mahoney, a former corrections officer, said he had several incidents he had to respond to during his time in that position.

Swiger said they received word through the Secretary of State’s office that Cunningham ended up with a stent in his heart and was recovering at home.

Share this post: on Twitter on Facebook