Trooper nominated for life-saving award after emergency in Waterbury

August 17, 2024  |  By Lisa Scagliotti 

Trooper Mae Murdock. Vermont State Police photo

A Vermont State Police trooper has been nominated for the agency’s top life-saving award after her quick action during a medical emergency at the Blush Hill Country Club last month. 

In a news release on Monday, the state police recounted events that unfolded on July 3 at the Waterbury golf course. They credit teamwork among people at the scene along with local first responders before Trooper Mae Murdock arrived. 

The incident happened when 68-year-old Sue Flynn was heading out onto the course. On the way to the first hole, Flynn collapsed and was unresponsive, the account describes. 

People nearby called 911 and started CPR until Waterbury Ambulance Service arrived. Volunteer Brian Lindner (himself a former state trooper) was on the crew that day and he took over CPR.   

Trooper Murdock was among several troopers from the Berlin Barracks to arrive next. “She took over chest compressions and tirelessly administered CPR until first responders set up an automated device known as a LUCAS machine to continue resuscitation,” the state police account explains. 

“When asked if she needed a break, [Murdock] continued to shrug off the offer of assistance and kept going. This had to be exhausting both physically and mentally,” a member of the woman’s golfing party wrote in an email to state police commanders several days after the incident. “At the time I thought they were in vain; a week later, I can tell you her efforts were lifesaving.”

Waterbury Ambulance Service Executive Director Maggie Burke praised the efforts of all of the first responders that day, calling Murdock’s efforts “textbook,” according to state police.  

Waterbury Ambulance Service responded to the call to Blush Hill Country Club where they were aided by community members and Trooper Murdock. File photo

“Her precise chest compressions, combined with the use of the LUCAS device, were critical to keeping the patient alive,” said Burke, who also was on scene July 3 along with paramedics Jason Gray and Peter Fitz.

Waterbury Ambulance transported Flynn to the University of Vermont Medical Center where she was treated. Flynn afterward gave Vermont State Police permission to use her name.

“I will forever be grateful for the Waterbury Ambulance Service and Vermont State Police,” Flynn wrote in an email to the state police. “I am here today because of them! We are so lucky to have them serving our community!!”

Flynn’s husband, Jim, likewise expressed his gratitude to Murdock after the experience. The state police shared his message: “I have no doubt that your ability to perform CPR had a great deal to do with her being here today. So grateful to have troopers like you serving our community! Keep doing what you’re doing and stay safe!”

Murdock joined the Vermont State Police in July 2018 and graduated from the Vermont Police Academy in January 2019 when she was assigned to the New Haven Barracks, working there until September 2023 when she transferred to Berlin.

Lt. Thomas Howard, commander at the Berlin barracks, has nominated Murdock for the Vermont State Police’s annual Lifesaving Award.

Jim Flynn noted the importance of initial lifesaving efforts by bystanders, and he encouraged everyone to learn CPR. “I’m definitely going to take a class!” he said.

Burke said she hopes to reconnect Flynn, staff at the golf club, and ambulance crew members to share thanks and CPR pins as a reminder of the importance of knowing the procedure. 

According to Waterbury Ambulance Service, July was a “record-breaking month” with Flynn’s emergency at Blush Hill Country Club one of 81 total calls – 79 of them urgent and 39 of those resulting in patients being taken to a hospital.