Fort Carson MPs assist patient at post bowling facility

FORT CARSON, Colo. -- Spcs. Gary Wade and Reginald Carter, military police in the 984th Military Police Company, 759th MP Battalion, were on patrol the night of Feb. 6, 2015, when they stopped by the post's bowling alley to pick up an order Wade had made at the alley's grill.

While Wade was waiting for his order, Carter stopped to talk to an acquaintance when he noticed a man doubled over near the restroom area. Carter approached the man and noticed something amiss, so he called Wade over and together, the MPs assessed the man's condition.

"He wasn't responding well to questions and he began fading out mentally," Wade said. "At that point, our training kicked in. We continued questioning him."

The MPs learned the man was 53 years old and was taking blood thinning medication that could have contributed to his present condition. Unsure if the man was experiencing a heart attack, stroke or other serious medical condition, they decided it was best to radio for emergency medical professionals.

Just as Wade reached for his radio he heard someone mention 911.

"I told everyone near us that there was no need to call 911 because I was already radioing in the emergency call," Wade said. "We get to skip a step in this scenario. I made the radio call to the dispatch center and the fire station isn't far away, so the paramedics arrived within minutes."

Carter's attention went to ensuring the man's safety. The alley was packed full of bowlers and Family members as Friday night league action hit full roar.

"As military police, it's our job to secure a scene," he said. "At that point, I knew the medical professionals were on their way."

Carter, a four-year veteran military policeman saw his job as attending to the patient, keeping people from crowding around him, clearing a path for medical personnel and directing them to the patient once they arrived.

"The most important thing for us is to remain calm, keep other people calm and control the scene," Carter said.

That may sound easy, but when a large group of people gather around a small area and something interesting happens, scenes can become unpredictable.

Chad Staggs, a Directorate of Emergency Services paramedic, took over care of the patient soon after. He said there wasn't a clear diagnosis. Paramedics then transported the patient to Memorial Hospital.

"Personally, I don't think he experienced a heart attack," Staggs said. "We thought maybe he suffered a pulmonary embolism, but that's something that can only be determined by hospital staff through a myriad of tests."

Due to Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act rules, paramedics and hospital staff are prohibited from providing further information about the patient.

Carter and Wade continued their patrol for the remainder of the evening, but they said this specific scenario was one they'll easily recall when training others or informing people about life as a military policeman.

"This is why I decided to pursue a career as a military policeman," Carter said. "I want to help people. The job provides plenty of opportunities to do so."