Polson Police officer helps save a life with quick action

Every life is precious to Quintin Fowler, a Polson Police Officer on duty around noon on Feb. 7.

Fowler was working the day shift, an anomaly for him because he normally works nights. But a fellow officer was unable to work and Fowler chose to stand in his comrade’s place. 

Red Lion Inn & Suites management requested police assistance to help him deal with a customer who did not pay for an additional day’s stay, and refused to answer his door.

Fowler and Polson Police Department Captain Alan Booth arrived on scene and were informed that the hotel patron was behaving in a bizarre manner earlier that day, something the officers confirmed when they gained entry to the room.

“The room was a monstrosity, with every piece of furniture broken and miscellaneous items strewn about the floor,” Wade Nash, Polson Police Chief said May 9 when he awarded Fowler a Life Saving Award from the Polson Police Department. “Officer Fowler saw through the shambles and recognized blood on the mattresses and wall.”

Fowler began searching through the clutter while preserving the potential crime scene before him.

“He heard guttural noises and thrashing from the back of the room,” Nash said. “Without hesitation he asked Captain Booth to dispatch an ambulance.”

What Fowler found was chaotic.

“The male was nude, lying face down and twitching from side-to-side,” Nash said. “His arms were locked and rigid as they aggressively swung about. Officer Fowler cleared the area of debris from around the man in distress.”

Dangerous drugs and syringes were found near the man. Suspecting a drug overdose, the two officers watched the man become unresponsive. Fowler quickly turned the man onto his side, a recovery position that opened his airway.

“He kept his airway clear until the emergency medical service crew arrived,” the document said.

The man, who was breathing, continued to sporadically flail his arms and legs.

Fowler later told the Leader that his training came to the forefront of his mind.

“When going into a situation like that training does kick in,” Fowler said in a later interview with the Leader. “I recognized that this call had transitioned from a possible criminal issue to a medical emergency.”  

Nash said Fowler held the patient down while the EMS workers administered medication.

Once the medication took effect however, the man stopped breathing.

“When dealing with medical issues time is very important and you have to act quickly in order to preserve life,” Fowler said later.  

Emergency workers began to resuscitate the man and rotated with Fowler to keep the man’s breathing going, Nash said.

“When the male was loaded into the back of the ambulance, his pulse stopped. He was then hooked up to an automated external defibrillator, something that took the entire EMS crew to facilitate.

That’s when Fowler jumped into the ambulance and drove it to the hospital. 

Fowler said he follows three important mottos in life: Treat people how I would like to be treated, always do his best and always be honest.

“I always give 100 percent at everything I do,” Fowler said later. “I realize that I can’t be the best at everything, but at the end of the day, I can be proud that I did my best.”

Fowler stayed with the man in the emergency room until he was assured that the man’s pulse had returned.

Fowler said later that if that kind of situation presents itself again, humanity can count on him to jump right in and help. 

“I did what I did because it was the right thing to do regardless of wearing a uniform or not.  I chose Law Enforcement as a profession because I love to help people, solve problems, and better my community,” he said. “At the end of the day my reward is making a positive impact in my community and the good feeling I get when I help someone who I may/not know.”

But that character is part of what makes Fowler part of Nash’s force.

“Officer Fowler’s expeditious response, keen attention to detail and selfless devotion to a stranger’s well being were no doubt what save that man’s life,” Nash said. “This outstanding performance, exceptional diligence and loyal devotion to duty reflected great credit upon Officer Fowler and were keeping with the highest traditions of the Polson Police Department.”

Fowler said he treats people how he would like to be treated.

“I apply this to police work – that if I was the one talking to police – what kind of officer would I want to deal with? Treating people with dignity and respect go a long way regardless of what they may (or may) not have done,” Fowler said.

“It’s also important to be honest with your self. It’s easy for us to blame someone else for problems in our lives,” Fowler said later. “Taking personal accountability for our actions and being honest with ourselves is the best way to learn and grow from our experiences.”