Two Sailors saved the life of a 71-year-old man who collapsed and suffered a head wound during his last leg of the Saratoga Classic Half Marathon Jan. 26.

Master-at-Arms 2nd Class Joseph Cowan and Master-at-Arms 3rd Class Kade Wallace, both assigned to Naval Station Mayport’s Security Department, heard a medical emergency reported over their duty radio, flipped on their patrol car’s emergency lights and sped to the seen.

Cowan and Wallace notified dispatch for emergency medical services and began life-sustaining CPR immediately after assessing the man’s condition. Within a few minutes emergency services arrived and took charge of patient care.

“We just reacted and showed up like we are trained to do,” said Wallace. “It’s great to know that our actions kept the patient alive and able to go back to his family.”

First-responder skills are a regular part of a Master-at-Arms’ training. Mayport’s Security Department also performs annual sustainment trainings to maintain those life-saving skills and emergency readiness.

 “As security and police officers, we deal with force protection, but we are also trained first responders,” said Cowan. “We want people to rely on and come to us when they need help. We’re trained to help anybody and everybody who needs aid. We want to help. To save someone’s life was a humbling and amazing experience for us.”

Cowan and Wallace took charge of crowd control and managing traffic after emergency services took over patient care. Naval Station Mayport’s duty detective found the man’s wife and transported her to the hospital.

“The dedicated and rapid response of our two Mayport Sailors to the fallen gentleman is a testament to the training and professionalism of every member of Team Mayport,” said Capt. Jason Canfield, commanding officer of Naval Station Mayport. “Their decisive actions saved a life and I’m very proud of our first responders.”

The latest update on the man reports he is currently in the ICU, with a stable condition.

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