Clay County deputies save life 48 hours after AED rollout

In January 2026, Clay County outfitted its department with 63 automated external defibrillators, distributing them across patrol cars and key facilities like the Rooney Justice Center. The move was prompted by Risk Manager Christine Puls to modernize aging equipment across the county’s 410-square-mile jurisdiction, where ambulance arrival times can reach 40 minutes.

On January 30, the strategy faced a real-world trial when 61-year-old Donlee McIntyre suffered cardiac arrest at home. Deputy Vicente Vargas, who had completed training on the new device only days prior, arrived to find family members performing CPR. Vargas deployed the 2.1-pound unit, following its audible prompts to deliver two shocks. Before paramedics transported McIntyre to the hospital, Vargas used the device’s integrated QR code system to transmit the patient's cardiac data directly to medical staff. McIntyre has since made a full recovery.

Sheriff Will Akin noted that the device’s simplicity proved essential during the high-pressure response. The department’s new fleet utilizes the REALConnect platform, which allows administrators to track battery health, GPS location, and usage history remotely. For a department covering diverse terrain, the ability to maintain constant readiness ensures that deputies remain prepared for incidents where every minute dictates the outcome.