Cops Recognize East Hampton Officers for Saving a Life

The East Hampton police officers who are being recognized for their swift action.

Officers Kenneth Brabant and Chris Hansen and Officer Barry Johnson were recently recognized by their peers in the Suffolk County Police Conference. They received the Police Act Award during a conference dinner at Calverton Links on March 16.

The officers used an automated external defibrillator, a portable device that analyzes the heart's rhythm for arrhythmias and ventricular tachycardia to resuscitate a man having a heart attack at his house in the village on Dec. 1.

The man, whose name was not released, was breathing on his own, though unconscious, when the transported him to Southampton Hospital. Village Police Chief Jerry Larsen said the man is recovering well.

The victim and his family were even present when Officers Hansen and Brabant were given the 2010 Officer of the Year award at the annual Kiwanis Club dinner in January.

"We're very proud of them," Larsen said. "It's wonderful because it doesn't happen every day."

East Hampton Town Police Chief Ed Ecker commended Johnson, who received the Officer of the Year award in 1999. "He's also one of instructors for first aid for the AED and for CPR. If anybody can save somebody, it's Barry," the chief said. "Not only that, his instruction has been so good, I think we've had four to five AED saves over the course of 2010."

Ecker also added that he is particularly proud of the way the officers work with the local ambulance crews and fire departments at scenes. "I'm proud to see that being both a fireman and a cop."

Town Police Detective Earl Hopson was named the town's 2010 Officer of the Year Award.