Piedmont Columbus Regional has named Charelton Martin and Trey Oswalt with the Opelika Police Department the organization’s First Friday Heroes for the month of December.

Opelika police responded to reports early one morning of a man driving in circles around a tree off exit 64 on I-85 near West Point Parkway. Officers Martin and Oswalt located the vehicle and made contact with the driver. After asking a series of questions and observing no evidence of alcohol or drugs, they realized this could be a medical emergency. Officer Martin continued to speak to the driver and realized the left side of his face was drooping. Then, they asked the driver to raise both his arms straight out, and his left arm began to drift down. Officer Martin notified additional officers on-scene the driver may be having a stroke. They immediately called for EMS and requested the Life Saver helicopter to transport the driver to Piedmont Columbus Regional Midtown.

The patient received an important stroke treatment upon arrival to the hospital, and went immediately for a stroke thrombectomy— removing the blood clot in the patient’s brain. The patient would’ve had a devastating stroke had he not received prompt treatment. Today, the patient has no complications and is doing well.

Additionally, we’d like to thank Brandon Phillips and Patrick Grimes with the Opelika Police Department, Chase McConnell with the Opelika Fire Department, Kamerian Williams with Opelika ETS, as well as Autumn Lindsey and Derick Robinson with Life Saver helicopter for their assistance.

A ceremony with Oswalt, Martin, and hospital leadership will be held at a later date to commend them for their response. Their story is also featured throughout the hospital on commemorative posters and Piedmont Columbus Regional’s social media pages.

Piedmont Columbus Regional created the First Friday Hero program in mid-2016 to recognize first responders each month who have gone above and beyond the call of duty. Their line of work is often a thankless job and we want to make the community aware of our local heroes and all they do to make the Chattahoochee Valley a better and safer place.