CORVALLIS, Ore. — The Corvallis Police Department recognized two community members and a 9-1-1 telecommunicator Wednesday for their lifesaving actions during a medical emergency that occurred in April.
During a ceremony on June 3, the department presented its Partnership Award to local residents John Schneider and Megan Gregory-Goplen for their quick response to a crash that was later determined to have been caused by a medical event suffered by the driver.
According to police, the incident occurred during the early afternoon of April 20, 2026, when the Corvallis Regional Communications Center received a 9-1-1 call reporting a vehicle that had crashed off the roadway. Schneider and Gregory-Goplen rushed to help and quickly realized the driver was experiencing a medical emergency.
Under the guidance of 9-1-1 Telecommunicator Anna Schulz, the pair began performing CPR on the unconscious driver and continued their efforts until emergency responders arrived on scene.
“In moments of crisis, most people will experience fear and uncertainty,” said Corvallis Police Chief Jason Harvey. “The individuals we are honoring today chose to act. Faced with a life-threatening emergency, they stepped forward, provided CPR, and gave someone in our community a fighting chance at life.”
The ceremony also brought together those involved in the rescue for the first time since the incident. Driver John Short, whose life was saved, attended the event with his wife, Carolyn, as well as friends and family members.
In addition to recognizing the bystanders, Chief Harvey presented Schulz with a Lifesaving Award for her calm and professional handling of the emergency call. Police said her CPR instructions and ability to gather critical information for responding crews played a key role in the successful outcome.
Officer Joel Hodgkinson, who took over CPR efforts upon arrival and continued care until paramedics reached the scene, received a Lifesaving Award last month.
Although Schneider was unable to attend Wednesday’s ceremony, police publicly acknowledged his actions and said he will receive his award at a later date.
The awards highlight the importance of bystander intervention and teamwork between community members, emergency dispatchers, and first responders during critical incidents.
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