Man recognizing for saving a life

By LYNETTE SOWELL 

Cove Leader-Press 

A Copperas Cove man was recognized by Copperas Cove Fire Chief Gary Young for saving the life of an individual. 

Chief Young made a presentation to Albert Botello at the Tuesday Copperas Cove city council workshop. 

Botello was on his way to work on the morning of May 19, 2023, just before 7 a.m., when he passed by a residence, and saw that an individual had collapsed in the driveway. 

He stopped and quickly assessed that “the person was unconscious, had no pulse and was experiencing their last breath.”

Chief Young said that Botello began performing CPR, and he directed a family member that was present to call for EMS. 

“A little more than three minutes later, EMS arrived and found Mr. Botello performing CPR. They exchanged information about the patient and then EMS took over CPR. The paramedic wrote in their report, that they arrived on scene to find Mr. Botello performing high quality compressions. EMS provided further life saving measures including rapid defibrillation and medication administration. Soon after those treatments, the patient’s heart began beating again.

“Our staff recognized that Mr. Botello’s lifesaving efforts contributed to a positive outcome for the citizen of our community. And after a short hospital stay, the citizen returned home and is doing well today.”

Chief Young continued on to say that “Mr. Botelloo performed lifesaving CPR on a citizen that collapsed from cardiac arrest, which is commendable and embodies selfless service. The City of Copperas Cove and the citizens of Copperas Cove are fortunate to have Mr. Botello in our community.”