Arrested burglar turned hero as he save police officer having a heart attack
Jamal Rutledge a young man arrested for violation of probation for criminal mischief and burglary was being processed by police officer Franklin Foulks. As Jamal Rutlege sat down waiting, Franklin Foulks collapsed from a heart attack. NBC6 reported the event as follows.
A young man in the middle of being booked by Fort Lauderdale Police became a hero after his quick response helped save the life of the officer who was processing him, according to the Fort Lauderdale Police Department.
Last September, Officer Franklin Foulks was processing Jamal Rutledge on charges of violation of probation for criminal mischief and burglary, when suddenly, Foulks collapsed. FLPD says Rutledge immediately began to kick the security fence and yell to alert nearby officers. …
Sergeant Todd Bunin heard Rutledge’s cries for help and upon seeing Foulks clenching his chest, notified police dispatch to send help.
Two other officers, Robert Norvis and Raymond Ketchmark, overheard Bunin’s radio transmissions and immediately responded to assist. Norvis removed Foulks’ police gear and cut off his shirt. Meanwhile, Ketchmark used a nearby Automated External Defibrillator to stimulate Foulks’ heart.
The medical team told the Fort Lauderdale police that had Jamal Rutledge and the police officers not acted as fast as they did, the outcome would not have been positive. Jamal Rutledge will be honored at the next Fort Lauderdale Commission Meeting on January 21st at 6:00 p.m.
America is in need of positive stories between police officers and Black men. After enduring a year of what seemed like all out war between police and the community, this simple human story is a welcomed detour.
In some manner, one hopes that stories like this enable many police officers to see young Black men as more than aggressive violent caricatures. One hopes they see that just as they value humanity so do most Black men.