September 10, 2002

Cheboygan - A Michigan State Trooper, considered instrumental in bringing the Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) to Cheyboygan County, became the second save in as many weeks for the lifesaving device.

Trooper Mark Tamlyn is listed in stable condition at Northern Michigan Hospital after suffering an apparent cardiac arrest while at the Cheboygan Post on Sunday. Trooper Tamlyn and his partner, Trooper Matt Keller, were at the post completing paperwork at the end of their shift when Tamlyn collapsed. According to Keller, "We were just finishing up some reports when Mark collapsed in the squad room. I checked him, and he was not breathing and had no pulse." After calling for assistance by radio, Keller began CPR and was assisted a few minutes later by Cheboygan County Sheriff’s Deputies Rick Miller, Patrick Charboneau, and Jeff Bur. The officers applied the AED and after several applications of the device, Tamlyn responded. He was transported to Northern Michigan Hospital in Petoskey where he remains in stable condition in the Cardiovascular Unit.

This is the second save in as many weeks for the AED in northern Michigan. Only one week before, the AED was credited with helping two MSP troopers from the Petoskey Post revive a 57-year old heart attack victim. That victim is expected to make a full recovery.

Tamlyn is considered the catalyst for generating over $20,000 in public support for purchase of eleven AED’s for Cheboygan County in December of 2000. According to F/Lt. Dale Selin, Cheboygan Post Commander, "Trooper Tamlyn worked hard to lead the efforts to generate the funds to purchase these devices. This is the second time that we have used the device successfully at our post alone. Now, through Trooper Tamlyn’s hard work and persistence, ironically, he ends up saving his own life." Selin went on to say, "This incident makes us just that much more determined to generate support for the purchase of additional units for local, county, and state law enforcement."

The AED delivers an electrical shock to help start a stopped heart. The Michigan State Police now have nearly 100 AED devices in use throughout the state. The devices cost around $2,600 each and are purchased through local grassroots fundraising events and donations rather than state general funds.

Trooper Tamlyn enlisted with the MSP on February 21, 1988.

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