As some of you may know, I am a photographer with a day job. I work as a Media Specialist at Parkland Health & Hospital System.

Today I had the privilege of photographing an event honoring Healthcare Heroes.

Here is the story behind the images.

(Press release courtesy of the Dallas Police Department)

DALLAS POLICE CHIEF U RENEE HALL THANKS HEALTHCARE HEROES WHO SAVED DPD OFFICER’S LIFE

Dallas Police Chief Senior Corporal Jaime Castro with the group of healthcare heroes that saved his life.

Senior Corporal Jaime Castro was in his personal vehicle the night of Feb. 8, when he began feeling unwell and having difficulty seeing. Out of concern for his own safety and that of other drivers on the road, he exited the freeway and was fortunate to pull to the shoulder across from a Navarro County Constable who was parked on the other side of the freeway. Senior Corporal Castro was able to get out of his car and flag down Deputy Constable Erik Heilmann. Deputy Constable Heilmann called 911. Firefighter / Paramedics from DFR’s Rescue #1 responded and took Senior Corporal Castro to Parkland hospital where Parkland medical staff reversed his condition, resulting in a full recovery. Dallas Police Officers who were already at Parkland for an unrelated event also assisted Senior Corporal Castro as he arrived and as he recovered in the hospital for several days.

Event:

During a ceremony this morning, Dallas Police Chief U Renee Hall honored those who saved the life of Dallas Police Chief Senior Corporal Jaime Castro.

In addition to Senior Corporal Castro, in attendance were Navarro County Deputy Constable Erik Heilmann, Dallas Fire-Rescue Firefighter / Paramedics Randy Aguayo and Matt Glogowski; Parkland Hospital nurses Mahwish Hirani and Brittany Henson; Parkland Hospital doctor Fernando Benitez; Dallas Police Senior Corporal Tony Black, Dallas Police Officer Dimitrios Margetis, Dallas Police Officer Elizabeth Soeder, and Dallas Police Officer trainee Ron Mathew.

Also recognized, but not in attendance were Parkland nurses Adrienne Wilson, Shainul Gilani, and Shauna Mayo, as well as Parkland Hospital doctors Mark Dresselhouse and Adam Sheffield.

“This effort is a tremendous reminder of how fortunate we are to have such dedicated first responders from law enforcement to fire and paramedics to healthcare,” said Chief Hall during the ceremony, adding, “What is remarkable about each of you, is that you do this day in and day out for the residents of the communities that you serve regardless of who is in need. We thank you for your commitment. We thank you for your service. And we thank you for tirelessly putting your lives on the line each and every day to ensure the safety, health, and well-being of the community.”

Dallas Police Association President Dallas Police Sergeant Mike Mata was also on-hand to present an award to Navarro County Deputy Constable Erik Heilmann for quickly coming to Senior Corporal Castro’s aid by dialing 911.

Senior Corporal Castro also addressed the crowd, thanking the first responders and medical staff for saving his life.