On 9/24/2023 at 3:55 PM, Security Officer Jamal Patterson alerted Security Dispatch of an unresponsive person at Belk Mall Boulevard Bus Stop, just off the property. Chatham County EMS was contacted to respond. Security Sergeant Lawrence Drescher III, Security Officer Jarred LaPointe, and K9 Handler Matthew Sardelis responded to the scene.
The AED in the mobile patrol vehicle, the first aid kit, and the Narcan kit were brought to the scene. Upon arrival, the subject was still unresponsive and had dilated pupils, and his pulse was weak. Sergeant Drescher instructed Security Officer LaPointe to administer Narcan while he prepared the AED on the subject. The initial dose of Narcan took effect, and the subject opened his eyes, and his pulse improved; however, he was still very disoriented and unresponsive. The AED analyzed the subject and advised them not to shock. Chatham EMS units Command 3 and Medic 61 responded with Fire Engine 2 and Savannah Police Sergeant Balmer. The EMS Chief, who arrived in Command 3, checked the vitals of the subject and recognized him as a person known to have suicidal tendencies and possibly suffering from an unspecified mental illness whom they had previously dealt with multiple times over the past three days. The EMS Chief advised that on previous occasions, the subject stated his desire to “hang himself” and “take something to kill himself.” The subject was placed into Medic 61 and transported to Saint Joseph’s Hospital for further evaluation and or treatment. Officer Patterson’s attention to his surroundings while on patrol, combined with Officer LaPointe’s and K9 Handler Sardelis’ quick response time and Sergeant Drescher’s ability to effectively manage the response to this incident hallmark the exceptional teamwork of the Oglethorpe Mall Security Team, and due to this, a man’s life was saved! Well done, team.
