Christina Pizzola credits two Dunmore officers for saving her husband’s life after he suffered a heart attack while shoveling snow.

DUNMORE, Pa. — A front door swings open as Christina Pizzola welcomes and hugs Dunmore Police Captain William Springer and Sergeant Thomas Richardson. Two men she credits with helping save her husband’s life.

“God does place certain people in our lives to help out,” said Pizzola of Dunmore.

Last Monday, while digging out following a late January snowstorm, Pizzola’s husband, Tom, suffered a massive heart attack out on the front sidewalk of their home along Franklin Street.

“I knew we were gonna beat the ambulance there by a mile because of the road conditions,” said Springer. 

Springer was the first officer on scene. “I saw Tommy was right over up against the pillar there, and as I approached, you know, his face was purplish, you know, and he was gasping for air,” he said.

Due to the severity of the situation, Springer relied on his training and began CPR. Moments later, Sergeant Thomas Richardson arrived.

“So I immediately went to the back for the med bag and the AED, and then came over and just started the rescue breaths,” said Richardson.

With help from a neighbor, Springer and Richardson kept working until an ambulance arrived.

Now, a week later, Pizzola says their actions are the reason her husband is alive and recovering in the hospital, fighting every day to get back to his first grandchild.

“Knowing them that they saved his life, I do want them to get some kind of recognition for this because there’s not a lot of good stories in the world of people doing amazing things, and I believe that God used the people there to bring him back to me,” said Pizzola.

Hearing that Tom’s recovery is going well, Springer and Richardson say it’s a successful outcome that makes them honored to wear the badge.

“Super grateful that God moved us into this position to be here where we were that day,” said Springer.

“And you hate to use that cliché, but it is, it’s just, it’s a part of our job, and it’s what we do,” said Richardson.

With February being American Heart Health Month, Pizzola asks everyone to take a minute and check their health, to hopefully avoid a story like Tom’s.