Willard PD’s Sgt. Purdy saves infants life with CPR

On Friday, Aug. 12, Sgt. Steve Purdy, with the Willard Police Department, responded to a call that Tayllor Burt was going into labor with her son, Asher. Purdy only intended to assist other first responders; he did not know he was going to save Asher’s life.
“Dispatch notified the police department that Willard Fire and Mercy EMS were responding to a call for a woman in labor,” he said. “The address was close by, so I decided to respond. My intention was to help as needed and to prepare the scene for Fire and EMS. About a minute later, dispatch advised (me) that Asher had been born. About a minute later, dispatch advised that Asher wasn’t breathing, and Tayllor had started CPR. This all happened in about (two or three) minutes.”
Realizing he didn’t have time to wait for Fire and EMS, Purdy went to work.
“I knew that I would be there about three or four minutes before the fire department,” he said. “I knew I had to retrieve my CPR mask and be able to assist Tayllor with CPR for Asher without delay.”
Purdy was able to clear Asher’s airway, after which Asher started breathing normally.
“After Asher’s airway was clear, he appeared to begin breathing on his own,” Purdy said. “Asher started breathing just before Willard Fire arrived. I knew that the fire department would be able to check on Asher and Tayllor.”
While it wasn’t the first time Purdy had performed CPR, he said it was the first time he had ever performed CPR on a newborn.
“I have never performed CPR on a child or infant,” he said, “but I have performed CPR on adults several times. I have performed CPR on opiate and benzodiazepine overdoses and for elderly folks with health issues.”
Meanwhile, Purdy said, Asher is perfectly healthy.
“He seems to be doing great,” Purdy said. “The family has sent me a few photos. We plan on having dinner together soon.”