Officer supplies defibrillator to help woman

GRAFTON — A part-time police officer who carries a defibrillator in his car used it to try and save a woman’s life Sunday.

Patrolman Brent Payne, who works full time for the Lorain Police Department and part time for the village, was the first to arrive 8:30 p.m. at the 1000 block of Willow Street on a call about a woman in full cardiac arrest.

“I ran to my trunk and grabbed the AED and went into the house,” Payne said.

The AED, or automated external defibrillator, is a portable electronic device that can automatically restart a heart rhythm.

Grafton police do not carry AED units in their vehicles. The AED Payne stowed away in his police vehicle was the same one Payne uses when he is on duty in Lorain.

He and his brother, who also is an officer on the Lorain Police Department, swap the AED between them. Right now, his brother is injured and off work.

“I always have it on my shift in case of incidents like this,” Payne said. “After speaking with paramedics on scene, they determined that if I did not have the AED with me and able to deliver the initial quick shocks, she may not have made it to the hospital with any signs of life.”

The woman’s family declined to comment, and her condition was unavailable.

Payne said there was a lot of commotion inside the home, but he just did his job.

“I had the equipment to help … you never know what’s up next,” he said. “I was just glad I was working that day. It’s not about how many tickets we write. Being a police officer is about helping people in their time of need.”

Payne added that it would be in the best interest of village residents if patrol cars were equipped with AEDs.

“The training is minimal while the benefits would be long lasting since we here at Grafton police are first responders to medical incidents and arrive on scene first most of the time,” Payne said.

Grafton Police Chief Dan Clark said it’s vital for his department to be equipped to respond to any emergency.

Since becoming chief in 2012, Clark’s police force has attempted to receive grant money to purchase AEDs, but every time, the grants are given to bigger police departments.

“I get it, they each cost $12,000 … but to me, what’s a life worth?” Clark said.

Finally, the continued application for grants has paid off. Mayor Dave DiVencenzo said the village recently received a grant that will cover half of the purchase price of each AED.

“We’re started to get the feel for where we need them and the police need them. I want to get one in all police vehicles,” the mayor said.

In coming weeks, the mayor will be working with various Grafton entities to determine which sites need the AED units other than the patrol cars. Aside from EMS squads, Grafton’s Electrical Department is the only facility that has an AED.

“They are a good thing to have and need to be in more common places,” he said.

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