Officer Nygaard’s quick response saves Brandon man’s life
Jill Meier/BV Journal
Sgt. Alex Palmer (left) presents a certificate of commendation to Officer Andrew Nygaard at Monday’s city council meeting.
If you ask Officer Andrew Nygaard, he would say he was just doing his job with the tools he’s been provided with to do that job.
But if you ask the Brandon man whose life was saved due to the quick response of Officer Nygaard, he’d call him “hero.”
At Monday’s city council meeting, Nygaard was recognized for his quick action responding to an Aug. 22 priority 1 cardiac arrest call regarding a 41-year-old Brandon man. Upon his arrival, the Brandon man, found on the bathroom floor of his home, was not alert and not breathing. Nygaard made the quick decision to deploy the AED and assisted with CPR until emergency medical services arrived and transported him to the hospital.
Betsty Odden publicly thanked Nygaard for his life-saving actions Monday night.
“That night is so much more to me than you can ever imagine,” she said, noting Nygaard had the shock administered to her husband, Louie, within three minutes. “That difference in time is why I have my husband here.”
Odden said the AED not only saved her husband’s life, but also provided doctors with crucial information.
Nygaard said he is honored to work for the community and thanked the council for the equipment provided to local law enforcement.
“Tonight is the first time I’ve seen him, and it’s great to see him here tonight,” he said.
