Fairfax County Police Department News

While an early March blizzard raged outside, an English Setter-Border Collie mix named “Sassy” barked excitedly at his owner’s feet. Jim Cassell, 64, of Great Falls was suffering a massive heart attack, while he appeared to be peacefully dozing in his recliner. His wife Susan was startled by the barking, noticed her husband’s condition and immediately began doing CPR while her son called 9-1-1.

Officer Nathan Keysor was the first emergency responder on the scene and he immediately recognized that the patient had no pulse and wasn’t breathing. He took over for Susan, administering chest compressions and succeeded in getting Jim breathing again. Susan, and hospital medical staff, later termed it “a miracle.”

The Fairfax County Fire & Rescue Department team arrived, took over, and served as the next link in the “chain of survival” to help save the life of Jim Cassell. He was rushed to the hospital with an uncertain future.

Eight days later, he woke up. He kissed his wife. And shortly, he’ll be heading for additional rehabilitation for a full recovery.

Fairfax County Fire Chief Richard Bowers awarded Keysor the “Lifesaving Award” at the Great Falls Volunteer Fire Department on Tuesday, March 24. Keysor’s family and police & fire colleagues, along with Susan Cassell, were there to support and congratulate him.

“Any of my colleagues and fellow officers would have done the same thing I did,” said Keysor, “I was in the right place at the right time.”