LANDER, Wyoming — Three Lander Police Department officers were formally honored after their CPR and AED response restored a man’s pulse and breathing before medics arrived, according to the city’s police chief and a local report.
Police Chief Kelly Waugh presented Lifesaving Awards to Officers Ethan Borchardt, Jason Hanson and Shawn McRae during the July 28 Lander City Council meeting. The ceremony is preserved in the city’s official meeting video.
CPR and an AED restore pulse and breathing
Waugh said the officers responded to a July 21 medical emergency involving a 25-year-old community member in crisis. ThinBlueNews is not publishing the person’s name, the method involved or other unnecessary private details.
According to Waugh, Borchardt and Hanson acted immediately when they found the man without a pulse and not breathing. They began CPR and used an automated external defibrillator.
McRae, who Waugh identified as a paramedic, arrived and provided additional assistance. The chief said the officers restored a pulse and got the man breathing again before medics reached the scene.
The man was taken by ambulance to a hospital and then transported by air for additional care. At the July 28 meeting, Waugh said he was expected to be released and make a full recovery. That statement reflects the update given at the ceremony; ThinBlueNews is not making an independent medical diagnosis or adding details beyond the public record.
Chief says the officers’ actions saved a life
“Their actions literally saved this young man’s life,” Waugh told the council. “And that would have never happened without these three.”
Each officer received a letter of commendation and a red-and-white lifesaving pin for the dress uniform. The commendation praised their calm demeanor, sound judgment and application of lifesaving techniques during a family’s crisis.
County 10 reported the ceremony Aug. 3, identifying the officers and documenting the chief’s account. ThinBlueNews independently reviewed the official City of Lander recording, where the presentation begins at approximately 3 minutes, 25 seconds.
Crisis help is available
If you or someone you know is experiencing thoughts of suicide or emotional distress in the United States, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. In an immediate emergency, call 911.
Readers can find more verified lifesaving and recognition coverage in ThinBlueNews’ police hero stories, first responder news and positive police news sections.
Sources and visual attribution
- City of Lander: official July 28, 2026 City Council meeting recording. Primary audiovisual source for Chief Kelly Waugh’s account, the officers’ names, the CPR/AED response, the recovery update and the award presentation.
- County 10: “Lander police officers receive lifesaving awards for July 21 rescue,” published Aug. 3, 2026. Local reporting and the authentic award-presentation photograph used in the featured editorial card.
- City of Lander meetings archive. Official archive linked by the city’s video description for meeting agendas and minutes.
Visual note: The featured card uses the real award-presentation photograph published by County 10, not an incident image. The photograph shows the officers in the public City Council chamber after the lifesaving response. ThinBlueNews preserved source attribution and did not fabricate a crisis scene.
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