Lessons to be learned from a life saved in Cottonwood Shores
Lieutenant John-Michael Talamantez and Officer Sarah Petersen of the Cottonwood Shores Police Department say they respond to domestic violence calls too often.
By Emily Hilley-Sierzchula
Before entering law enforcement, Officer Sarah Petersen of the Cottonwood Shores Police Department was a forensic photographer, so she "can see a body and know there's no longer life in it," she said.
Petersen was also a domestic violence and sexual assault victim’s advocate, which is what helped her view the night of Dec. 9 through knowledgeable and sensitive eyes.
Responding to a call about chest pain, Petersen and Lt. John-Michael Talamantez not only saved a life in the moment, but possibly, hopefully, changed a life forever.
“As we pulled up, I told the lieutenant this was a house where I’d arrested a guy for domestic violence a month before,” Petersen said.
When the two officers entered the living room, Petersen recognized the 30-year-old victim from the previous incident. But this time, instead of being left with a bruised arm, the woman was lying on the floor, without a pulse or breath, surrounded by people--including her children.
The fresh strangulation marks around her neck were obvious.
Petersen, an EMT, started CPR with chest compressions, “and about the third rotation in she regained a pulse but was still not breathing,” Petersen said.
For more on this story, and more about how to get help for domestic abuse, see The Highlander, Tuesday, Jan. 19.
