We would like to formally nominate Ian Donaldson of the Ontario Provincial Police (Fergus Detachment).
On December 4, 2025, our lives changed forever. My husband, John, was in Fergus, Ontario, on a service call repairing a truck when he suffered a massive heart attack that led to cardiac arrest. Ian arrived on scene and immediately took over CPR from the truck driver who had begun life-saving efforts.
John’s cardiac arrest was severe. He was without a significant oxygen supply for more than 40 minutes and received eight defibrillator shocks before even being transported by ambulance. Ian accompanied him to the hospital in Fergus, where John required several additional shocks.
During this terrifying time, I was at work in Owen Sound, trying desperately to make my way to Fergus. Ian personally called me to explain what was happening and kept me informed every step of the way. His calm, clear communication during those critical moments meant more than I can express.
John was later transferred to St. Mary’s Hospital in Waterloo, where he underwent emergency surgery and received a stent in his right coronary artery. He was placed in a medically induced coma, and we were told his chances of survival were very low due to the prolonged lack of oxygen and the extensive damage to his heart. While John was in the coma, I was given information about organ donation, as the outlook was so uncertain. Throughout those agonizing days, Ian continued to check in with me to see how I was doing and whether our family needed anything.
After three days, John emerged from the coma. When I called Ian with the news, he was just as shocked and overjoyed as we were. After finishing a night shift, he came to visit us at the hospital on his own time. He later shared that, given the severity of the cardiac arrest, he never expected John to survive and believed he was performing CPR simply to give the possibility of organ donation. Even the doctors described John’s survival as a miracle.
Ian went far beyond what anyone could reasonably expect. His decisive actions, perseverance in administering CPR under extraordinary circumstances, and his continued compassion and support for our family made all the difference. Without his immediate and sustained life-saving efforts, I truly believe my husband would not be here today.
We are profoundly grateful that Ian was on duty that day. His professionalism, humanity, and unwavering care for our family exemplify the very best of the OPP.
