Hilliard officer saves man's life with CPR after heart attack

A local police officer is being hailed as a hero after jumping into action to save a man’s life with CPR.

The dramatic rescue happened last week in Hilliard. Tom Enneking had just finished watching a movie and had taken his two dogs, Luke and Leia, outside.

“I heard him open the door, and it was just a huge thump,” said Tom's wife, Kathy Enneking.

Kathy immediately called 911.

“He isn’t breathing now,” she told the dispatcher. When asked to begin CPR, she responded, “Yes.”

Hilliard Division of Police Officer Jeff Long arrived quickly.

“When I got there, pretty chaotic scene,” Long said.

Body camera video shows Long jumping in to help, at one point saying, “I just got bit by a dog, keep doing CPR.”

With CPR and a defibrillator, Long and Norwich Township paramedics were able to restore Tom's heartbeat.

“I had an artery that was 100% blocked,” Tom said.

“Amazingly, the widow-maker did not make me a widow,” Kathy said.

After listening to the 911 call, Kathy reflected on the moment.

“It’s really hard. I can hear how scared I was,” she said.

Tom added, “Yeah. She was there for me.”

“She’s always been there for me anyway. I love you,” he said.

“It was the scariest thing I have ever done in my entire life,” Kathy said.

She said without Long’s quick response, the outcome would have been different.

“Oh, he would have died. They are lifesavers, they are lifesavers,” she said.

“It’s what we strive to do is help the citizens out,” Long said.

Tom said he feels “so blessed.”

“Officer Long is a very special human being. Thank you,” Kathy said.

Tom and Kathy said they are grateful to the first responders who helped save his life and gave them more years together.