Guardsman Saves Woman’s Life During Memphis Safe Task Force Patrol

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – During a Saturday morning patrol with local law enforcement as part of the Memphis Safe Task Force, Staff Sgt. Cody Luhrs, a Security Forces officer with the Air National Guard’s 164th Airlift Wing, saved the life of a local woman suffering from a drug overdose west of the Memphis International Airport on Winchester Road.

While serving as the medical response team member for his fellow Guardsmen and women performing a community safety patrol, Luhrs was notified that a local semi-truck pulled over near one of his teams. The driver signaled for help and told the Guardsmen that there was a woman inside his cab who was not breathing and unresponsive.

Luhrs immediately rushed to the scene, maneuvering his medical response van through traffic ready to help his fellow Guardsmen provide aid.

Inside the truck’s cab, Luhrs found a young woman motionless and barely breathing. She was unresponsive and her skin was pale. After assessing the situation using his advanced training in the Air Force and as an Advanced Emergency Medical Technician with the Collierville Fire Department, Luhrs recognized the signs of an opioid overdose.

Working quickly, he carefully lifted the woman from the truck, with the help of a fellow Tennessee Army National Guardsman, and placed her on the grass beside the road. Luhrs then inserted a 20-gauge IV line in the woman’s left arm, confirmed placement with a saline flush, and administered a 2-milligram dose of NARCAN, a life-saving emergency opioid overdose-stopper.

Within a few minutes, the woman’s breathing improved, she began having eye movement, and color returned to her face.

Luhrs continued monitoring the patient and providing aid until the Memphis Fire Department personnel arrived and took over care. Together, they then secured the woman to a stretcher, and she was transport to a local hospital.

Luhrs said his actions were simply part of his duty and training.

“I like being able to help out in the community,” said Luhrs. “It feels good to be able to give something back. I just got caught in an extraordinary moment on an ordinary day and- I’m glad that my training ensured I was capable of handling that.”

Luhrs is a former Army infantryman and medic with the 20th Special Forces Group who served in the Army National Guard since 2009. Three years ago, he joined the Tennessee Air National Guard and currently serves with Memphis based 164th Airlift Wing. In his civilian career, Luhrs has been an Advanced EMT and firefighter since 2013, serving with the Collierville Fire Department for the last 4 years.