Everyday Hero

When he saw an unconscious man on the floor of a Liberty Lake fitness club, off-duty police officer Damon Simmons said years of Red Cross lessons just kicked right in.

“It was more like a training exercise. I wasn’t frightened. I didn’t panic. It was the weirdest thing,” Simmons said of having administered CPR the first time.

It was Jan. 21. He’d been lifting weights at the club on his day off as the Spokane Valley Police/Spokane County Sheriff’s Office resource officer to several West Valley schools.

For his actions, Simmons recently won an Everyday Hero Award from The Spokane Valley Golden “K” Kiwanis Club.

He helped save Michael Lybrand, who’d suffered a heart attack but was still breathing when Simmons got to him. Simmons said he’d seen the man in the club on earlier occasions working out with a grandson.

“I looked at him and thought: ‘Don’t quit breathing on me,’ ” Simmons recalled in a recent phone interview. As soon as the thought popped into his mind, Simmons said, Lybrand stopped breathing.

So the police officer ordered someone to call 911 and asked for another trained bystander willing to help him resuscitate Lybrand.

Simmons started chest compressions. And a dermatologist began giving rescue breaths.

Paramedics from the Spokane Fire Department arrived about five minutes later.

“It seemed like an eternity,” Simmons recalled.

After a hospital stay, Michael Lybrand is on the road to better health.

Simmons saw him about a month ago at a separate celebration and Lybrand said he was able to take walks, do a little yard work and was looking forward to getting back to the gym.

John Frucci, president of the Golden “K” Kiwanis, said he felt privileged to present Simmons with a framed medal of honor.

“Damon L. Simmons is recognized for rendering service beyond what is ordinary or expected and for doing so without regard for attention or receiving in return,” the plaque reads, in part.

Simmons encourages others to be Good Samaritans if they’re called upon.

“Revert back to your training and don’t think too much. Don’t be afraid to render assistance,” he said. “You never know when it might be your turn to receive help.”

Simmons said the gravity of the situation didn’t sink in until after it was over.

“I thank the Red Cross for the training,” he said.

Lybrand’s grandson is grateful, too. Every time he runs into his everyday hero in the gym, he shakes Simmons’ hand and thanks him again for what he’s done.