It’s not every day someone who has a heart attack can be called lucky.
But Manatee County Sheriff’s Sgt. Brett Getman is fortunate to be alive following a Dec. 19, 2022, heart attack, according to MCSO public information officer Randy Warren.
MCSO Deputy Jared Leggett’s immediate efforts to revive the sergeant using CPR, otherwise known as cardiopulmonary resuscitation, were credited by Warren and Holmes Beach Police Department Sgt. Tom Fraser for saving Getman’s life.
“I can tell you without a doubt that Jared Leggett saved that man’s life and I was just happy to be in a position to help out,” Fraser told The Islander Jan. 6. “I can’t give him enough credit.”
The incident began shortly after Getman and Leggett returned to the MCSO-Anna Maria substation following a Dec. 19 trespassing arrest.
Leggett told The Islander Jan. 6 that they had been discussing potential charges for the arrestee when Getman fell from his chair and collapsed without a word.
Leggett ran over to see if Getman was all right, but the sergeant — who Leggett has known since he began working for the MCSO almost 11 years ago — was not responsive and lacked a pulse.
Leggett, who volunteered as a firefighter/paramedic for West Manatee Fire Rescue and an emergency medical technician on an ambulance before his time at the MCSO, immediately began chest compressions.
“It was entirely a mixed emotion. Not only do you get the adrenaline dump, but you’re working on your sergeant — your friend, your coworker, your colleague — and he’s down,” Leggett said. “When you’re working on that kind of person, it escalates it one step further.”
Leggett said he put out several frantic calls over the radio for help while he completed two rounds of CPR and used the substation’s automated external defibrillator, which was nearby — on the desk where Getman had been sitting.
Fraser arrived during a third round of chest compressions to find Getman lying on the floor “blue” and took over so Leggett could retrieve a bag valve mask — a piece of emergency medical equipment used to help people breathe — from his vehicle outside.
“By the time we got a few breaths into him, I think we were both shocked when he looked up at us,” Leggett said. “It’s still a little unbelievable.”
Fraser said they told Getman, “Welcome back, Brett!” following his revival, and the pair kept Getman awake until West Manatee Fire Rescue paramedics arrived and took over.
Manatee County Emergency Medical Services arrived soon after WMFR and transported Getman to the HCA Florida Blake Hospital in Bradenton with a police escort from Fraser.
Fraser said that, according to his body camera footage from the day, only 31 minutes passed between when he left the HBPD and arrived at Blake as the EMS escort.
He added that he considers Getman a partner and a friend despite working for different agencies on the island, and said the incident left him emotional.
“This is hard to talk about because, you know, to see someone you treasure laying on the floor, lifeless … I’ve been a police officer for 32 years. I’ve given CPR numerous times. Sometimes people live and sometimes people don’t live. That was the first time I’ve had to give CPR to someone that I actually knew and it was just a completely different animal,” Fraser said.
“I couldn’t sleep when I got home,” Fraser added. “But I came to realize that it just wasn’t Brett’s day to die and that all the stars aligned for him and that he’s going to be OK.”
Leggett said he was lucky to have been at the station in the first place, since he usually completes paperwork from the comfort of his vehicle and a nice shade tree.
“I just happened to come back here,” Leggett said. “I don’t know why.”
Leggett said he was happy he could be there for Getman when his sergeant, who he said was a “great supervisor,” needed him most.
“(Getman) looks out for us. He takes care of us. It was great to be there to be able to take care of him like he takes care of us,” Leggett said.
Warren told The Islander Jan. 6 that Getman was doing “real well” in recovery.
“He’s very thankful for how everything came together,” Warren said. “He considers himself extremely blessed.”
Warren told The Islander Jan. 9 that Getman was recovering at home after being released from the hospital about a week before. He said Getman would return to work when a doctor gives him the all-clear.
“He has said repeatedly that he knows he has a reason to still be here and understands the importance of people knowing CPR and having the proper equipment as a matter of life and death,” Warren added.
Leggett also stressed the importance of CPR.
“It’s critical that everybody should learn how to do CPR. Today, it’s down to a two-step process: call 911 and push hard and fast,” Leggett said.
“Don’t be hesitant to jump in there and do it because there is a good chance you can save someone’s life,” Fraser said.
People can learn more about how to perform CPR at the American Heart Association’s website, cpr.heart.org, or check on classes at WMFR.org.
