THATCHER — In one of his final acts as Thatcher Chief of Police, Shaffen Woods presented Chief’s Awards to the four people who saved a man’s life at the pickleball courts.
Matt Hatch, 56, suffered medical distress while playing the game the morning of Nov. 22, 2023. Immediately, his fellow players — Shauna Bryant, Lucas Johnson and Morgan Maylen — began performing CPR while other players contacted 9-1-1 and kept watch for the ambulance. They also provided pillows and blankets to keep Hatch as comfortable as possible while the others worked to keep him alive.
When Thatcher Police Officer Jason Larson arrived, his used the automated external defibrillator that is equipped in each TPD squad thanks to a United Way of Graham and Greenlee Counties grant. Hatch was then transported to Mt. Graham Regional Medical Center, where he was stabilized before receiving cardiac treatment at a Tucson Hospital.
“It’s not that you should go, ‘Oh, I’m not a hero,’ but you’re a hero to somebody,” Hatch said. “I hope you know you’re a hero to me and I’m really grateful to you and I want to thank you so much.”
– David Bell Photo/Gila Valley Central
Woods presented the awards to Bryant, Maylen, Johnson and Larson during Monday’s Thatcher Town Council meeting.
Also recognized for assisting were John Bryant, Brent Hatch, Rene Layton, Tami Reynolds, Rhonda Sweet, Debbie Turley and Michelle Wilson.
