A HARLOW Pc has received praise from his bosses after he performed life-saving CPR on a man who had collapsed while out cycling in the town.

Pc Lee Sheppard, based on the Harlow Local Policing Team, was flagged down by a member of the public after the man in his 50s collapsed in Post Office Road just after 1pm on Saturday, December 6.

The 42-year-old officer from Harlow said: “Luckily I was really close to where the man had collapsed and autopilot just kicked in and I performed CPR until the paramedics arrived.

“I just did what anyone else would have done.”

The father of three and a half year old twin boys acknowledged the importance of the first aid refresher training officers receive each year; his was in August.

He said: “The training we have as police officers came in really handy and is why I knew what I needed to do.”

Pc Sheppard is also familiar with the importance of administering lifesaving medical help as quickly as possible due to his wife being a former emergency medical technician.

The man was taken to hospital in Stevenage where he is currently receiving treatment.

Supt Trevor Roe, West LPA senior officer, said: “Pc Sheppard’s actions demonstrate that he is a credit to the police service and I’m sure that his quick thinking will have given this man a greater chance of survival.

“I will be endorsing a recommendation that he receives official recognition for his efforts to help this man.”

Pc Sheppard has served in the Harlow district since 2007 when he was a PCSO and latterly as an officer since 2008.