By C1 Staff
FRACKVILLE, Pa. — A corrections officer who works at the State Correctional Institute at Mahanoy has been recognized with the Department of Corrections’ Medal of Valor for assisting a coworker who was suffering cardiac arrest.
According to News Item, Donald Rakus was performing physical fitness tests for the Corrections Emergency Response Team at SCI-Manahoy Sept. 13 when Sgt. Daniel Ozlanski collapsed after suffering an apparent heart attack.
Rakus performed CPR for 15 minutes after it was determined that Ozlanski had no pulse and was not breathing.
By the time emergency medical personnel arrived, Ozlanski’s pulse had returned and he was breathing on his own.
“Ozlanski survived because of Rakus’ life-saving efforts,” said Supernintendent Jack Kerestes. “As a result of his heroic efforts, Rakus was nominated for this year’s DOC Medal of Valor Award.
“He also received the 2014 Corrections USA Medal of Valor for his efforts in saving Ozlanski’s life.”