Bystanders & Crews Awarded for Saving Man During Medical Emergency

CONROE, TX -- Lamar Casparis does not like to be the center of attention, but when it comes to thanking those who helped save his life, he will gladly step up. Mr. Casparis was attending his regular church service at West Conroe Baptist Church when he started feeling unwell. As he made his way to his car, sweating profusely, it caught the attention of Jon Buckholtz, an investigator with the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office, who was working as a security guard at the church. At the start of the second church service, Investigator Buckholtz noticed his car was still in the parking lot. When he went to check on him, he saw that Mr. Casparis was unresponsive, and his car’s engine was not running – just as temperatures on that August morning reached 92 degrees. He immediately called for backup.

Brent Steward, also an investigator at the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office, and Troy Dunlap, Shenandoah Chief of Police, came to the scene and helped smash the car’s window to check on Mr. Casparis. He was barely breathing; he opened one eye as they tried to wake him. They called 911.

Conroe Fire Department and MCHD Paramedics arrived to take over his care. Mr. Casparis was suffering from a hemorrhagic stroke, or bleeding in his brain. The crews immediately got to work treating his condition and getting him to the hospital. Mr. Casparis underwent emergency surgery to stop the bleeding in his brain.

Just two weeks later, Mr. Casparis was able to return to West Conroe Baptist Church to sing in the choir and enjoy fellowship with other church members.

“I just want to thank all of you from the bottom of my heart, for saving my life,” Mr. Casparis told the group during a reunion this week. “God put everyone here at the right place, at the right time, and I just thank you all so much. This isn’t about me – it’s about all of you.”

MCHD would like to thank all of those involved in Mr. Casparis’ care:

Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office

Investigator Jon Buckholtz (currently Chief of Police, City of Conroe)

Investigator Brent Steward

Shenandoah Police Department

Chief of Police Troye Dunlap

MCHD Paramedics

In-Charge Paramedic Crysta Dresel

Attendant Paramedic Eric Watson

District Chief Spencer Hall

MCHD 911 Dispatch Center

ALARM Call Taker Christina Luttrell

Conroe Fire Department

Michael Painter

Charles Becker

Trevor Mathis

Montgomery County Hospital District’s mission is to care for the indigent and provide EMS services while protecting the interest of taxpayers and ensuring long-term stability through fund development. For more information about the Montgomery County Hospital District, please go to www.mchd-tx.org.