Troopers’ quick, decisive actions save rep’s life

Three Texas Department of Public Safety troopers were honored by the Texas House, Texas Senate, and Texas DPS on May 29 for their successful efforts to save the life of Rep. Edmund Kuempel of Seguin.

On May 12, Tpr. Edwin Carpenter responded to a call for assistance concerning a medical emergency in the Capitol in Austin. When he arrived, Carpenter found Kuempel in a sitting position, unconscious and unresponsive.

Carpenter immediately called for assistance and checked for a pulse. Tpr. Diane Riojas assisted Carpenter in administering CPR, as Tpr. Antonio Rico raced to the scene with an automated external defibrillator. Carpenter and Riojas continued CPR while Rico administered AED shocks. The representative was reportedly unconscious and without a heart rhythm for eight minutes as the troopers worked feverishly until his heart rhythm resumed.

EMS personnel arrived on the scene, and Kuempel was stabilized and transported to a local hospital. The actions of these troopers saved his life; he recovered from the heart attack and returned to the House floor before the session ended. The troopers received Director’s Citations for their efforts to save Kuempel’s life.

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