Watch Florida teen rescue police officer while he's being booked

KTRK logo
Wednesday, January 14, 2015
Florida teen saves police officer's life
A Florida teen to be commended for heroically helping to save the life of an officer who collapsed while booking him

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- A Florida teen who was processed into the Ft. Lauderdale Police Department Booking Facility is set to be commended later this month for heroically helping to save the life of an officer who collapsed while booking him, an incident that was captured on surveillance camera.

According to the Fort Lauderdale Police Department, on Sept. 10, 2014, Officer Franklin Foulks was in the process of booking 17-year-old Jamal Rutledge, when the cop collapsed. Rutledge, still in handcuffs, got up to check on Officer Foulks, who police say was losing consciousness.

As the video shows, Rutledge "immediately began to kick the security fence and yell to alert officers in the area," police said in a news release.

Two officers quickly came running in. Sergeant Todd Bunin cut off Officer Foulk's shirt and Officer Robert Norvis began administering CPR. Officer Ramond Ketchmark brought in an AED -- an automated external defibrillator.

Paramedics quickly took over and rushed Officer Foulks to the hospital.

Doctors say had it not been for the teen's yelling, and the quick work of the other officers, Officer Foulks could have died.

Det. DeAnna Greenlaw told ABC News that Foulks is now on light duty, but expected to return to full duty by the end of the month.

"We are incredibly happy and fortunate to this officer back to work," she said.

She told ABC News that the police officers who assisted Foulks as well as Rutledge will be receiving the life-saving award, as well as being awarded officers of the month.

A Florida teen to be commended for heroically helping to save the life of an officer who collapsed while booking him
KTRK

Regarding Rutledge, Greenlaw said the department had hopes it may have a positive impact on the youth, who has been arrested again since the incident.

The teen had been arrested for allegedly violating probation and burglary, police said.

Greenlaw told ABC News the teen remains under probation restrictions, but the department is hoping that they will be lifted for the ceremony.