2021 Johnson Life Saving Award

On February 15, 2021, at approximately 12:15 pm, first responders were dispatched to north Moorhead on a report of a male who was not conscious and not breathing. Officer Zach Johnson overhead the call for service and immediately responded to the location and was the first to arrive at the scene.

Officer Johnson quickly evaluated the situation, noting the patient did not have a pulse and was not adequately breathing. Officer Johnson immediately started chest compressions. While performing resuscitation techniques, Officer Johnson stated the victim would open his eyes at times. The victim remained pulseless and not breathing. Officer Johnson continued to do chest compressions as personnel from the Moorhead Fire Department and paramedics from FM Ambulance arrived. The team of first responders delivered shocks from a defibrillator and soon the victim regained a pulse. The patient was transported to a local hospital for continued care. 

Officer Johnson's efforts were vital in restoring the patient's pulse. Being able to arrive early during the incident and immediately perform resuscitation, the victim could continue providing oxygen to their vital organs until further care could convert the victim out of the cardiac arrhythmia. Chief Shannon Monroe has presented Officer Johnson the Moorhead Police Department Life Saving Award for his actions.