2 local officers receive ‘Life Saver’ award for reviving man at Walmart

Photo courtesy of Orleans County Sheriff’s Office: Pictured from left include Orleans County Undersheriff Michael Mele, Sheriff Christopher Bourke, Sheriff’s Investigator Kevin Colonna, Trooper Scott Gregson, and State Police Sgt. Glenn Rigerman

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 18 December 2020 at 5:17 pm

ALBION – Two local law enforcement officers have been recognized with “Life Saver” awards from Orleans County Sheriff Chris Bourke after they revived a man in the Albion Walmart.

On Nov. 3, State Trooper Scott Gregson was handling an incident in the Security Office of the Walmart in Albion. Trooper Gregson was in the process of conducting interviews when a 77-year-old man slowly sat down, leaned over face first and grabbed his chest.

Trooper Gregson contacted the Sheriff’s Dispatch Center for an ambulance. Orleans County Sheriff’s Investigator Kevin Colonna arrived on scene.

The man had become unresponsive and was not breathing. Gregson and Colonna began chest compressions and connected an A.E.D. (automated external defibrillator) and a shock was given. Shortly thereafter the man began breathing and had a faint pulse.

Central Orleans Volunteer Ambulance (COVA) arrived and took over the medical assistance to the victim, and transported him to Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester.

“The quick decisive actions of Trooper Gregson and Sheriff’s Investigator Kevin Colonna on November 3rd, 2020, without doubt, saved the life of another human being,” Sheriff Bourke said. “The seamless coordination and quick response by these law enforcement officers serves to exemplify the great working relationship that exists between the New York State Police and the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office.”

Bourke last month presented Gregson and Colonna with the Sheriff’s “Life Saver” award. The two were also recognized on Wednesday at the Orleans County Legislature meeting. Legislators acknowledged the life-saving actions of the two law enforcement officers and read into the record the details surrounding the Life Saver Award.