Police Save Hudson Valley Man’s Life

Police call it being at the right place at the right time. A quick thinking clerk and a pair of State Troopers saved a 65-year-old Columbia County man's life.

On Wednesday evening, a 65-year-old man became unresponsive during a Kinderhook Village Board meeting. As fate would have it the village hall shares the same building as New York State Troopers. Realizing it was near a shift change, Nicole Heeder, a quick thinking clerk, went to the officers door to report the emergency.

Columbia County 911 was called as Trooper James Sokolowski and Trooper Michael Singleton immediately responded and began administering first aid.

The Troopers soon assessed that the 65-year-old man was not breathing nor did he have a detectable pulse. Sokolowski and Singleton began chest compressions and applied a nearby automated external defibrillator. This resulted in two shocks being issued to attempt to reestablish a pulse.

The patient ultimately regained consciousness and was cared for by his life-saving Troopers until the Valatie Rescue Squad and Kinderhook Fire Department arrived.

The patient has no recollection of the events, but he is expected to make a full recovery.

Right place right time! Mixed with a sharp clerk and some life-saving New York State Troopers!