Deputy Uses Newly Deployed AED to Help Save Man’s Life

A new emergency response tool was put to the test almost immediately in Clay County, where sheriff’s deputies used an automated external defibrillator to help save a resident’s life just 48 hours after the devices were deployed countywide.

The Clay County Sheriff’s Office outfitted its patrol fleet and sheriff-run facilities with 63 Avive Connect AEDs in January 2026, becoming the first law enforcement agency in Missouri to deploy the devices across an entire county. The units were placed in every patrol vehicle and at county facilities including the Rooney Justice Center, Children’s Justice Center, Public Safety Building, Law Enforcement Resource Center and Transition Housing.

The rollout was designed to close a critical gap in a county that spans 410 square miles of city corridors and rural terrain, where ambulance response times can stretch to 30 or 40 minutes.

That gap became urgent on Jan. 30, when 61-year-old Donlee McIntyre collapsed in the basement of his home shortly after finishing a treadmill workout. His son called 911, his wife began chest compressions and his daughter took over CPR when she arrived.

Clay County Deputy Vicente Vargas reached the home quickly and retrieved the new AED from his patrol vehicle. It was only the second time he had handled the device, after completing training just days earlier.

Vargas placed the pads, followed the device’s visual and audio prompts, delivered two shocks and continued compressions until paramedics arrived. Before the ambulance left the scene, he scanned the AED’s incident-data QR code and sent McIntyre’s full cardiac record directly to the receiving hospital.

McIntyre made a full neurological and physical recovery. He is a father of two and grandfather of three and is set to celebrate his 39th wedding anniversary this year.

“The safety of our community is our top priority, and that can mean deputies taking literal life-saving actions, which happened in this case,” Clay County Sheriff Will Akin said. “We are very fortunate that this life-saving tool was deployed at just the right time at our agency and was in the hands of a deputy who used it flawlessly.”

Sameer Jafri, CEO of Avive, praised the county’s leaders and first responders for acting quickly throughout the emergency.

“Stories like this are at the core of why we do what we do at Avive,” Jafri said. “We cherish and celebrate these successes and look forward to our continued partnership with Clay County.”

County officials said the incident shows how placing life-saving equipment closer to first responders can improve the odds for cardiac arrest patients, especially in areas where minutes can make the difference between survival and tragedy.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.