ROCHESTER, Mass. — Civilians, firefighters, EMS responders, police officers and dispatchers were honored in Rochester after quick CPR and a coordinated emergency response helped save Hugh McGonagle following a golf course cardiac emergency, according to Sippican Week.
The local report said McGonagle suffered a heart attack on May 10 while golfing at Rochester Golf Club. Friends recognized the emergency, began moving him toward access for responders, and bystander John Magilton stepped in to perform CPR as they approached the parking lot.
A chain of action before responders arrived
Sippican Week reported that McGonagle was golfing with four friends when he collapsed around 8:30 a.m. on the third hole. Because the group was far from where an ambulance could reach them, friends Brent Burrel, Charles Schlaegel and Warren Hovasse placed McGonagle into a golf cart and drove toward the parking lot while one of the men performed CPR.
Magilton, of Fairhaven, saw the group struggling and began CPR. When fire, ambulance and police responders arrived, the report said responders relieved Magilton and set up an automatic chest-compression machine.
McGonagle was transported to Tobey Hospital and then airlifted to a Boston medical center, according to the report. The recognition ceremony was held June 12 at the Rochester Senior Center.
Civilians, first responders and dispatchers recognized
Rochester Fire Department Captain Kevin Richard, who presented the awards, said the outcome showed the value of training and fast response, according to Sippican Week.
“Hugh's presence here today is a powerful reminder of why we train and why we respond and why every second in that process counts,” Richard said, according to the local report.
Sippican Week reported that John Magilton, Brent Burrel, Charles Schlaegel and Warren Hovasse received Civilian Life Saver Awards.
The Fire/Emergency Medical Services/Police Lifesaver Awards went to Deputy Chief Jeffrey Eldridge, Captain Kevin Richard, Paramedic David Zander, Paramedic Steve Cody, Firefighter Benjamin Ferreira, Sergeant Catherine Connolly and Detective Paul Douglas, according to the report.
The report also said Supervisor Stephanie Lenihan, Dispatcher Kristen McDonald, Fire Dispatcher Ashley Joyce, Fire Dispatcher Andrea Tarrant, Police Dispatcher Jordan Shairs and Police Dispatcher Patrick Moran received Certificates of Recognition.
Why this story matters
The Rochester case is the kind of public-safety chain that can be easy to miss after the ambulance leaves: friends who recognize cardiac arrest, a bystander willing to do CPR, dispatchers moving the call, police and fire arriving with equipment, and responders who keep training for rare moments when seconds matter.
McGonagle thanked those who helped save his life during the ceremony, according to Sippican Week.
“Standing here today is a gift I don't take for granted,” McGonagle said, according to the report. “Because of you, I'm here to say two words that will never feel big enough: Thank you.”
Sources reviewed
Editorial note: ThinBlueNews used source-reported facts, avoided adding private medical details beyond the public report, and used a real ceremony photo from the source page with clear attribution rather than generated rescue imagery.