On Tuesday, the New Ipswich Select Board recognized the lifesaving actions of Fire Chief Ben Hatcher and police officer Vincent Estrella-Reyes when they responded to a call on Sept. 28 for a man in cardiac arrest.

On Sept. 28, the New Ipswich fire and police departments and the Souhegan Valley Ambulance Service were simultaneously dispatched to respond to a report of a 47-year-old man, unconscious. Hatcher was the first on scene, arriving within a minute of the dispatch, and found that the patient was not breathing and had no pulse.

Select Board Chair Shawn Talbot, in front of a crowd of first-responders who attended the meeting, read a commendation for the two men that explained what happened next.

“Chief Hatcher moved the patient to a safe location and began CPR. Officer Reyes arrived on scene within three minutes of being summoned to the residence, and placed an AED on the patient, administering a shock that restarted the patient’s heart,” Talbot said. “Catholic Medical Center has stated that the quick recognition of the need for chest compressions and defibrillation was instrumental in saving this patient’s life.”

The patient was transported to Catholic Medical Center, and Talbot also acknowledged the continued lifesaving measures taken by the Souhegan Valley Ambulance Service and a Peterborough paramedic who continued to treat the man until he arrived at the hospital. The man has since been released from the hospital, and is currently recovering at home.

“All first-responder teams, working together, were instrumental in the positive outcome of this situation,” Talbot said. “Both Chief Hatcher and Officer Reyes acted with remarkable courage. Their ability to remain calm under immense pressure, assess the situation and take swift and decisive action was nothing short of extraordinary. The teamwork and professionalism they demonstrated are a testament to their leadership and commitment to the town of New Ipswich.”

Police Chief Mike Abel also spoke, recognizing the work of Estrella-Reyes.

“I’m proud of my officer. He did a good job,” he said.

Abel said that in New Ipswich, officers are not just there to uphold the law, but to help the community, whether it be giving directions,  assisting someone broken down on the side of the road or – as in this case – responding to support SVAS in an emergency situation when police or fire might be the first responder on the scene.

“Let’s not forget that every day, whether it’s the Highway Department, the Police Department, the Fire Department, SVAS, this stuff happens every day,” Abel said. “We work very hard. We serve the community, and today we make special recognition, but truly, these people work like this every day.”

Abel presented Estrella-Reyes with a certificate, and a letter to both Estrella-Reyes and Hatcher penned by Police Sgt. Weston Vollheim in acknowledgment of their actions that day.

Ashley Saari can be reached at 603-924-7172, Ext. 244, or asaari@ledgertranscript.com. She’s on X @AshleySaariMLT.