UK Employees, Student Help Save Life of UK Police Officer

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Jan. 11, 2019) — University of Kentucky Police Officer Alan Saylor is alive today thanks to the quick action of UK Gatton Student Center employees. Three full-time employees and a part-time student employee administered aid and another called 911 following Saylor's collapse Thursday morning in the Student Center where his office is located.

The good Samaritans, full-time employees Chip Carter, Walter Robinson and Matt Burns and student-employee Brandon King, a senior in the College of Nursing, immediately administered CPR on Saylor, who had suffered a heart attack. Alex Rosenzweig was the Visitors Center student worker who called 911. Saylor was taken to UK HealthCare Chandler Hospital where he is being treated and is now listed in good condition.

"I know Officer Saylor very well," King said. "I've worked in the Student Center for four years and we've become friends. It was hard to see that happening to someone you know so well, but my training kicked in, and we got to work. It just reaffirmed to me my calling to be a nurse."

"I want to thank the wonderful staff members of the Gatton Student Center who acted so quickly and skillfully to help me," Saylor said. "With Brandon King being a nursing major at UK, he certainly put his training to use. I am truly grateful to everyone who has been instrumental in saving my life."

"The UK Police family is grateful for the quick actions of the student and staff members who provided first aid to Officer Alan Saylor," said UK Police Chief Joe Monroe. "Those individuals, along with the quick response from the Lexington Fire Department and the team at UK HealthCare, did an excellent job in contributing to saving Alan's life."

Monroe said this incident highlights the importance of CPR training. UK Police offers CPR training, and anyone wishing to obtain the training can contact UK Police at 859-257-8573.