(Scroll down for video) — NYPD Transit Police Officer Qiang Shi saved a 19-year-old on a Sheepshead Bay subway platform last month, bringing the teen back from a near-fatal heart attack. He was at his post on the mezzanine of the Stillwell Avenue subway station in August when a woman rushed down from the platform and told him someone needed help.
“When I went upstairs, I saw his face. It was all bloody,” Police Officer Shi said. “His face was all purple, he wasn’t breathing. My first reaction was to try to get him to breathe again.”
Police Officer Shi immediately radioed for an ambulance and started chest compressions and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. The teen gasped for air, but he stopped breathing, and Police Officer Shi started CPR again.
Police Officer Shi recalled that after he heard the gurgle, he was thought, “Oh, thank you, just stay with me. Just don’t go to sleep.” EMS arrived and removed the teen, Rio Ferrer, to the hospital where doctors expect him to make a full recovery.
Ferrer’s mom, Dianne Ferrer, sent a letter to the NYPD’s Chief of Transit (see below to read letter), calling Police Officer Shi her son’s “guardian angel” and thanking him for saving him. They met with Police Officer Shi on Tuesday.
“I was speechless. I cried, and cried. I hugged him and I was hugging him for the next half hour,” said Ms. Ferrer. “There were no words to express my gratitude.”
Dear Chief Fox,
On August 15th, 2015, I experienced a mother’s nightmare. At approximately 1:00 pm while waiting for a train at the MTA Sheepshead Bay station in Brooklyn (B & Q lines), my nineteen (19) year old son Rio Ferrer collapsed onto the train platform and went into cardiac arrest. As he lied on the train platform his heart stopped beating and he stopped breathing. People on the platform called 911 and ran downstairs from the elevated platform to seek assistance. Appearing on the platform moments later is New York City Police Officer Qiang Shi shield #16871 of the NYPD Transit District 34, who I refer to now as my son’s guardian angel on that day. Officer Shi quickly assessed the situation and started CPR on my son. He did so as my son lied a couple of feet from the edge of the train platform as trains pulling into the station sped by. He did so despite the area around my son’s chin being covered in blood due to a gash he suffered from his fall to the train platform. Officer Shi was calm, cool, and collected as he performed CPR, radioed for an ambulance, and kept the area around my son clear on that extremely hot August afternoon so my son could breath air once he was revived. When my son started breathing again Officer Shi spoke with him letting him know he was not alone and encouraged him not to go to sleep as they waited for medical assistance.
Police Officer Shi reacted quickly minimizing the time my son’s brain was without oxygen. Because of his actions my son did not suffer permanent brain damage. He does suffer from memory loss, which will hopefully come back in time. He is still hospitalized but recovering everyday. He has a second chance at life thanks to the heroic actions of New York City Police Officer Qiang Shi who was equipped with CPR training, compassion, and professionalism.
Police Officer Shi is a true hero and an excellent example of a New York City Police Officer. I am sharing my story with hope that the New York City Police Department recognizes him for his heroic actions. I would greatly appreciate the department arranging a meeting where I can meet Police Officer Qiang Shi and thank him in person for his heroic actions and for saving my son’s life.
I am providing you with a link where you can view the actions of Police Officer Qiang Shi on youtube.com.
Respectfully an eternally grateful mother,
Dianne Ferrer
