State Trooper Saves Two Lives in One Day

State Trooper Gregory Plitsch had a memorable day on Thursday.

In one day, the trooper based at the Highland barracks used first aid techniques to help save the lives of two people.

In Highland, Plitsch went to check the home of a man who had not answered his phone. His wife suspected he might be having a diabetic emergency.

The trooper found the home's front door unlocked, and when he got no response at the door he looked inside and found the husband on the living room floor — he was not breathing.

Plitsch began lifesaving rescue breathing and soon got assistance from fellow trooper Maria Weber and Town of Lloyd Police Officer Eric Masten. Medics who also arrived determined the husband was suffering from very low blood sugar. He was stabilized and taken to Vassar Brothers Hospital for treatment.

Earlier in the day, Plitsch helped save the life of a 21-year-old Gardiner man.

Plitsch monitored an Ulster County 911 radio transmission for an unresponsive male at a private residence off State Route 208 in the town of Gardiner. Plitsch went to the home and found the man in the upstairs bathroom not breathing.

A 68-year-old family member was also on the scene attempting CPR. Plitsch took over the scene and performed CPR, including rescue breathing, with the directed assistance of the family member. 

Mobile Life Paramedics responded to the home after the initial lifesaving measures had been taken and were able to fully resuscitate the man. He was taken to Saint Francis Hospital in Poughkeepsie for follow up testing and treatment.