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The family of Peter O’Donnell, who fell seriously ill in Chatham, surprised the special constable who helped save his life with a heartfelt visit.
Peter, 68, suffered a cardiac arrest while visiting his sister Annie and niece Shannon on Friday, August 23, 2024. Shannon sprang into action, performing CPR on her uncle until Special Constable Laura Meeks and paramedic Emily Brown from the Joint Response Unit arrived within minutes to take over. Additional ambulance crews and the air ambulance also rushed to the scene.
Thanks to the swift response and a defibrillator, Peter regained consciousness and is now recovering in the hospital. His grateful family visited SC Meeks during a special constables’ training session to present her with flowers and express their gratitude.
Annie shared,
“We were overwhelmed by what she did for us. For such a young woman, she was so calm, focused, and reassuring. The speed and professionalism of her and the paramedics were just amazing. She is a real credit to Kent Police, the Special Constabulary, and the Joint Response Unit. Along with my daughter, they saved my brother’s life, and it’s hard to put into words what it means to us.”
Shannon added,
“We are deeply thankful for the care my uncle received that night and the ongoing care in the hospital. We are hopeful for his full recovery. I learned CPR in school, but you never expect to use it, especially on a relative. I want to stress the importance of recognizing cardiac arrest signs and taking immediate action. Knowing CPR and having the confidence to use it can save lives. Also, learn where the nearest defibrillator is because every second counts.”
Special Constable Meeks joined the Kent Special Constabulary in August 2023 and qualified in February 2024. She volunteers four or five times a week while also working as a call handler for an energy company. The Joint Response Unit, a partnership between Kent Police and South East Coast Ambulance Service, sees special constables and paramedics responding to emergencies together.
SC Meeks said,
“It was a lovely surprise for Peter’s family to visit me. I had no idea, and it was very emotional. I’m just glad I could help, and they could celebrate his birthday with him in the hospital. I love being a special constable and the family vibe we have. Volunteering with the police is very satisfying, and it’s always nice to be recognized for a job well done.”
Special constables in Kent participate in frontline police work and have unique opportunities to specialize. They wear the same uniform, carry the same equipment, and hold the same power of arrest as regular officers. Kent Special Constabulary was the first in the UK to receive The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.
Interested in joining? Visit the Kent Police website for more information.