Heroes Honored for Saving a Life at Rockwall Farmers Market

Rockwall, Texas – August 11, 2023 – Mayor Trace Johannesen and the Rockwall City Council recognized a large group of employees this week – with a “Life-Saving Award” for working together to save the life of a Farmer’s Market vendor.

On July 1, Farmer John (of State 28 Farm) suffered a cardiac arrest, and thankfully Rockwall Parks & Recreation employee Brian Escobar jumped into action to perform CPR. Soon after, fellow Parks employee Daniel Ramirez joined in to help. After 9-1-1 was called, Rockwall Police Officer Garrett Stewart took over chest compressions.

Next, Captain Lewis Johnson and Firefighters Bogdan Rusmanica and Clay Crawford, along with Rockwall County EMS personnel defibrillated the man. He was transported to a local hospital and was able to walk out after a short stay—even after a diagnosis of Sudden Cardiac Death!

Of note, as the patient left, the fire personnel as well as Police Sergeant Jose Urive, and Officers Sonja Doss, Cameron Parker and Aaron Woolverton packed up Farmer John’s market booth, and located the keys, then loaded all the products onto the vendor’s vehicle.  

As City Manager, Mary Smith (who was on scene helping during the market) said, “Farmer John lives today, thanks to this group of dedicated people willing and able to jump into action and do the right thing. I can’t emphasize enough the importance of getting CPR training—today.”