Opelika Police Officer named First Friday Hero

Irreversible heart muscle damage can begin in as little as 30 minutes after a heart attack starts, and about half of the people who die from a heart attack pass away within one hour of their first symptom. Lucky for Frazier Moreman, an Opelika Police Officer, Connor Ramey, came to his rescue within minutes after he suffered a heart attack.

First responders were dispatched to a home on Lakeshore Drive in Opelika in reference to an unresponsive person with no pulse. Officer Ramey and his partner arrived and found 61-year-old Moreman on the bathroom floor unresponsive, pulseless, and not breathing.

Officers immediately placed their automated external defibrillator (AED) on Moreman, and it provided a shock, trying to help the heart re-establish an effective rhythm. Officer Ramey then began performing CPR while his partner calmed Moreman’s wife and gathered information.

Officer Ramey continued to perform CPR for over three minutes until the Opelika Fire Department arrived on scene. While Officer Ramey was performing CPR, Moreman began taking abnormal, labored breaths. Moreman was rushed to Piedmont Columbus Regional Midtown and recovered in the Intensive Care Unit.

Ramey’s efforts resulted in him being named Piedmont Columbus Regional’s First Friday Hero for October.

 “It is without a doubt the efforts made by Officer Ramey saved Moreman’s life,” Piedmont Columbus Regional Director of Cardiovascular and Neuroscience Services Alexis Smith said. “His exceptional performance under stress shows the excellent training and professionalism of the Opelika Police Department.”

A ceremony with Officer Ramey and hospital leadership was held on World Heart Day (Sept. 29) at the Opelika Police Department to commend him for his response. Officer Ramey and medical staff received a special surprise when Moreman and his family attended the ceremony. Moreman has made a full recovery and is doing well.

Piedmont Columbus Regional created the First Friday Hero program in 2016 to recognize first responders and everyday heroes each month who have gone above and beyond the call of duty. Nominations are accepted year-round. Go to Piedmont.org/FirstFridayHero to make a submission.