Frazee High School alum honored by Foley PD, Benton County

Contributed photo
Foley Police Chief Katie McMillin recognized Officer Cody Pausch for his life-saving efforts in a May incident involving a Gilman, Minnesota resident.

By Robert Williams

Editor

Foley Police Officer Cody Pausch, a former Pelican Rapids resident and two-sport athlete at Frazee-Vergas High School, recently received a commendation from Foley Police Chief Katie McMillin and the Benton County Sheriff’s Office for his efforts in saving the life of a Gilman, Minnesota resident Bradley Ott.

Benton County first responders received a report at approximately 5:30 p.m., on Monday, May 20 from Joanne Ott reporting that her husband Bradley Ott.

It was reported that Bradley then stopped breathing as first responders were enroute to the Ott residence.

Contributed photo
First responders of the Benton County Sheriff’s Office, State Patrol, paramedics and dispatch were recognized Tuesday, Aug. 21, for saving the life of Gilman, Minnesota resident Bradley Ott, front-center on May 20. Front row L-R: Bradley Ott and Joanne Ott. Second row: State Trooper Moeser, BCSO Lead Dispatcher Katie Dusing, BCSO Dispatcher Lindsey Galvin, Mayo Medical Paramedics Ashlee DesMarais and Samantha Welle. Third row: Foley Fire Assistant Chief Rick Herbrand, Foley Fire Lieutenant Todd Foreman, Foley Firefighter Tyler Palm, Foley Fire Chief Mark Pappenfus, BCSO Deputy Kari Bonfield, Foley Police Officer Kothman, Foley Police Officer Cody Pausch, Foley Fire Lieutenant Travis Janson, and Foley Firefighter Jason Studanski. Not pictured: Foley Firefighter Jerad Fleck and Mayo Ambulance Dispatcher Joel Newberg.

Dispatchers at Mayo Ambulance provided CPR instructions to Joanne, and she began providing CPR to her husband. Public Safety Dispatchers Lindsey Galvin and Katie Dusing worked to get first responders to the residence, while monitoring the progress of the CPR being done on Brad, and coordinating the response.

Arriving first on the scene were Minnesota State Patrol Trooper Ryan Moeser and Deputy Kari Bonfield. Trooper Moeser and Deputy Bonfield worked to attach an automated external defibrillator (AED) to Bradley while continuing to perform CPR. 

Foley Police Officers Brian Kothman and Cody Pausch were next on the scene and assisted in performing CPR while the AED worked to bring Bradley’s heart back into rhythm. While these officers were working, members of the Foley Fire Department arrived. 

A Lucas device was attached to Bradley’s chest to take over the work of chest compressions. Shortly after activating the Lucas device, Bradley began to regain consciousness. 

A Lund University Cardiopulmonary Assist System (LUCAS) device is a portable, mechanical device that helps healthcare providers and first responders perform automated chest compressions on patients in cardiac arrest.

CPR was discontinued and first responders worked to support the signs of life that had returned to Bradley, who regained consciousness to the point of being able to speak to first responders and the Mayo Ambulance crew who had arrived on scene. Bradley was transported to the hospital where he received further care before being released.

Thanks to the early CPR provided by Joanne and the coordinated effort of the first responders on this call, Bradley’s life was preserved and the life-saving award honors their combined efforts for a life saved.

Pausch grew up in Pelican Rapids where he was home-schooled. He played baseball and football for Frazee-Vergas high school. He knew he wanted to be a police officer since he was 16-years-old and is a Law Enforcement graduate of Alexandria Technical & Community College.

Pausch was also recognized by his department in June of 2023 for his actions in diffusing a school runway situation as a first-year officer.