The Town of Columbus honored police officer Ron Diaz and Robbie Price, chief of the Polk County Rescue Squad, with a proclamation at its February meeting for quick-thinking, life-saving rescue efforts.

“The town council of the Town of Columbus hereby honors and commends Columbus Police Officer Ron Diaz and Polk County Rescue Squad Chief Robbie Price for their outstanding heroism in saving the life of a woman traveling through Columbus, N.C., and extends its sincere thanks on behalf of the whole community for their actions on behalf of strangers in distress,” the proclamation said.

At the meeting, Michael Crater, Polk County Emergency Services Director, called the woman who had been rescued on that November day.

“It hardly seems enough to say thank you,” she said. “You saved my life.”

The woman has made a complete, full recovery from her cardiac arrest. Price said in his 30 years, he had not saved anyone else from cardiac arrest who made a complete recovery.

“God used our hands to save that woman that day,” Price said.

Diaz agreed, saying, “God saved her. He made use of our strength and skill to save her life.”

William Hullen, store manager, made the 9-1-1 call in November 2013, when a couple traveling from Tennessee to Florida stopped at his market.

Price said he was nearby with his daughter, Angela, who encouraged him to respond to the call right away.

The wife slumped lifelessly, but Diaz and Price resuscitated her at the scene. Diaz arrived on the scene within thirty seconds and Price arrived within a minute.

“Both Diaz and Price alertly and confidently addressed the situation and began administering cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to the individual who was lifeless; and whereas Polk County paramedics and the Columbus Fire Department arrived to administer further aid that resulted in the woman’s life being saved; and whereas, the Town Council wishes to express its deepest thanks to Officer Diaz and Chief Price for their quick life-saving action,” the proclamation said.

Eric Etheridge, EMT and paramedic student, and Cayce Jolley, paramedic, also helped save the woman’s life, and Crater recognized their work as well as the heroism of Diaz and Price.

Crater said Etheridge and Jolley were the first people he hired after he became head of Polk County Emergency Services in July.

“It was a team effort,” he said.

Councilwoman Margaret Metcalf also thanked the team.

“We appreciate the work you do, not only that day, but every day,” she said.