Homicide detective Frank Serra from the Dallas Police Department was honored for his actions that helped save the life of a defense attorney. The attorney had suffered a massive heart attack in court just as a murder trial was starting.
Det. Frank Serra was awarded a Lifesaving Bar for his actions on September 25, when he saved the life of defense attorney Allen Fishburn in Judge Brandon Birmingham’s courtroom. Dallas Police Chief Eddie Garcia presented the award to Serra.
“This Lifesaving Bar from the Dallas Police Department is awarded to Frank Serra for outstanding police performance in saving of a human life,” Garcia said during the award ceremony.
“Det. Serra administered chest compressions for approximately 15 minutes until Dallas Fire-Rescue arrived,” Garcia added.
Fishburn told FOX 4 News that he had no symptoms before, during, and after his heart attack.
“I just got through pre-admitting some exhibits about how PCP affects the human body,” Fishburn said. “And then I sat down, and then I woke up in the hospital.”
Serra was in the courtroom as a key witness for prosecutors but ended up saving Fishburn’s life after he fell to the floor due to a massive heart attack.
According to FOX 4 News, Fishburn’s partner, Jeff Lehman, administered mouth-to-mouth resuscitation on the stricken attorney while Serra administered chest compressions. Fishburn was unconscious and was taken to Baylor Hospital by the Dallas Fire-Rescue.
Serra told FOX 4 News that he was grateful for his training, which helped save Fishburn’s life. He added that he was thankful for being in a position to save the attorney.
Fishburn had successful emergency surgery at Baylor and has since been given the green light to go back to the gym, but nothing else until January.
