‘I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for you’: Woman thanks Mt. Juliet Police Department officer who saved her

A woman was going into cardiac arrest on March 1 when an officer decided to take life-saving measures.

Officer Simco Valsaint responded to a home in Mt. Juliet where Rebecca was unresponsive, not breathing and in cardiac arrest.

Without hesitation, MJPD said Valsaint began CPR using his training and calm under pressure to save her life.

After more emergency officials arrived, Valsaint said he began tending to Rebecca’s husband, who was having a diabetic emergency.

From Saturday to Thursday, Rebecca said she didn’t realize she was in the world.

“I was confirmed dead by the cardiologist staff at Summit,” Rebecca said. “I was down for over 20 minutes and the cardiologist confirmed that there would have been no hope to even be able to bring me back or have any brain function had I not received amazing CPR.”

During her stay in the hospital, Rebecca said she was shocked seven times and flatlined six times.

“That is unheard of for them to shock someone at my age,” Rebecca said, who turned 61 recently.

Months after he saved her, Rebecca decided to visit the Mt. Juliet Police Department to thank Officer Valsaint personally.

“I just wanted you to have something from me for saving my life,” Rebecca said. “It’s nothing compared to what you did.”

Rebecca dropped off a gift basket for Officer Valsaint in a video MJPD posted.

A few weeks later, as Rebecca said she was recovering, Officer Valsaint stopped by to check on her and told her he had been praying for her.

“That meant everything,” Rebecca said.

“And so I’ll do it again,” Officer Valsaint said. “All praise to God.”

Valsaint said he will continue to check up on her.