Former police officer William Davis and his wife Anna saw Norvell hit the ground on Feb. 20 as they were loading groceries into their vehicle. They both know CPR. They both jumped to action.
In moments, they were joined by two nurses, who took over administering CPR until seven first responders from the Englewood Fire Department arrived 90 seconds later to do what they do for coronary victims and prep Norvell for his ride to a hospital.
All of them were honored for their heroism Tuesday night during the Englewood City Council meeting.
“How do you say ‘thank you’ for saving your hero?” Norvell’s daughter, Wendy Muncy, said. For her, she said, William Davis is noble and that defines a hero.
Everything fell together for Norvell, Englewood Fire Chief Bud Bergman said. “Everything clicked for this fellow.”
Bergman said it falls on the public to know CPR and at least how to call for help. “That gets us out quicker,” he said.
Patricia Norvell said her husband had planned to attend Tuesday night’s ceremony, but couldn’t because of nose bleeds. She recalled the day police came to their home in Jackson Twp. with the news that her husband had suffered a heart attack.
He had never had heart trouble before that day, she recalled. “I just had to get to him.”
Thinking that her spouse had spent his last day on Earth grocery shopping, Mrs. Norvell and Muncy said it was at the hospital that they realized what — and who — had come together to save Virgil Norvell’s life.
After the ceremony, the Norvell and Muncy families took their turns honoring the 11 lifesavers.
“I’m just glad the guy survived,” said William Davis, who noted his professional life included work in an emergency room for more than three years. “Right place, right time,” he told a reporter. “Right people in the area at the right time.”
Muncy said the entire experience has prompted her family to honor Mr. and Mrs. Davis and the two nurses by sponsoring CPR and first aid classes for her family and others “so we can step up,” she said, “and perhaps save a life.”
About the Author