Many dream of becoming a hero one day, but few are recognized for it. University Police Officer Gene Raphael was recognized as a hero on Oct. 16, when he received the life-saving award for administering care to university guest Peter van Leeuwen.
On Oct. 7, van Leeuwen was visiting campus for an event hosted by Southwest Florida Library Network when he suffered a sudden cardiac arrest. Van Leeuwen suffers from coronary heart disease, which he believes to have been a contributing factor to the incident.
“A couple of my colleagues at work were here with me, and I kind of scared them. They were in a little bit of shock and seeing all this happen in front of their eyes and so but I’m very fortunate to be here. I was in good hands here,” van Leeuwen said.
Ann Ryan defibrillated van Leeuwen first before Officer Raphael arrived at the scene to administer CPR, having learned CPR only two months before, and San Carlos Fire Department took over to bring him to the hospital.
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“The training becomes second nature, although we don’t do it often, it just kicks in,” Raphael said.
Van Leeuwen’s daughter, Emily Williams, was at work when she received the call from the fire department. Lieutenant Ed Davis calmed her down and assured her that her father was breathing.
“I was able to see my dad come out of the ambulance as I was pulling into the hospital, sitting up and breathing,” Williams said. “I’m so thankful for what everyone did and the life-saving measures they took.”
The award ceremony was held last Thursday to honor the work Raphael did in saving van Leeuwen’s life. Most university police officers, two San Carlos Fire Department firefighters, van Leeuwen’s family and President Timur were in attendance to show their gratitude.
“Honestly, I really was not expecting anything, and what I do, I do for the sheer joy of helping people and making a difference in whoever’s life I touch, and on that on that day, just happened to be Mr. Peter’s life that I touched, and it was a positive touch,” Raphael said. “I just happened to have been at the right place and at the right time, and here we are. I’m so happy that Mr. Peter is standing right in front of me.”
Based on his experience, van Leeuwen believes that it is imperative that first responders are available on quick notice, which is exactly what Raphael and Davis did. Though not desiring the recognition, experiences like this make first responders’ goals worthwhile.
“As a kid, I was always drawn to helping others, I always looked up to police officers and I always wanted to become a police officer,” Raphael said. “It’s about making a difference in people’s lives, that’s my drive.”