SACRAMENTO —
Sharon McIntyre has been working her dream job since she was 18 years old. Now the 40-year-old Sacramento firefighter-paramedic is sharing how she and several civilians helped save CHP Officer Mike Ericson last Thursday afternoon.
McIntyre was driving on I-80 westbound around 1 p.m., on her way to an emergency response training. That was when the off-duty firefighter stopped her car and joined in a crowd of civilians who were trying to do everything they could to save a downed officer.
“There were no lines or boundaries involved regards to ‘I don’t have gloves and I’m touching blood.’ Everybody was perfectly willing to do whatever they had to do and get their hands dirty,” McIntyre remembered.
Investigators said Ericson had just been intentionally run over by Austin Scott, a man running from crimes he’s accused of committing in Reno.
McIntyre said she was the highest medical authority on site, until a nurse in scrubs arrived later.
With no medical equipment, McIntyre coached the civilians to stay calm, and help the situation in whatever way they could.
“From the woman that was laying on her stomach holding the microphone on the motorcycle to talk to CHP dispatch, to the individuals who were helping stop traffic. Every single person went above and beyond,” McIntyre told FOX40.
Once CHP officers arrived with medical supplies, she and the nurse helped administer an IV with saline to help with Ericson’s bleeding.
By 1:30 p.m., the helicopter carrying Ericson arrived at UC Davis Medical Center. McIntyre said she is proud of everyone who put their own lives on the line to save the life of a hero.
“Our job in everything we do involves a team, and we can never do it alone,” McIntyre said. “I’m hoping [Officer Ericson] has a speedy and full recovery, back to the ability to enjoy his wedding., enjoy his family, and return to CHP and get back on the motorcycle again.”
As for that training exercise McIntyre was headed to: “I missed the training, actually. But I got footnotes afterwards via cellphone,” McIntyre said, laughing.
