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Deputy saves librarian aide's life at Mission Hills High

When a San Marcos woman stopped breathing and didn't have a pulse, Deputy James Frierson stepped in.

SAN MARCOS, Calif. — Life is more precious than ever. It's hard to believe that one week ago, schools in San Diego County were open and in session.  That's when I met a deputy who saved a librarian's life at Mission Hills High in San Marcos.

It's the lifesaving rescue everyone at Mission Hills High is talking about.

"I am in bad shape. Something is really not right," said Melanie Curnow.  

The library aide told us about her life threatening episode in late January. 

She felt a pressure in her chest, so she walked to the health office and said, "I think I am having a heart attack."

Credit: KFMB TV

Melanie passed out at the about the same time the school resource officer Deputy, James Frierson, showed up. 

"She was not breathing. She had no pulse. [She was] non-responsive," said Deputy Frierson, who started CPR and called 911 with two others.

Deputy Frierson connected Melanie to an AED and followed the verbal commands. On the second assessment she was shocked back to life. 

"Oh, it was such a sign of relief. I mean, just to see her breathing and sitting upright - I mean - words just can't explain," said Deputy Frierson.

Melanie was perfectly healthy. Her heart attack came from a random blood clot.

 "This is not something that people usually survive," said Melanie.

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She did.

Her first question at the hospital wasn't what happened to her but, "Who, who, who worked on me? I want to talk to them. I want to say 'thank you.'" 

Melanie said with the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19), every breath she takes and every beat of her heart is precious.

"I was fine that morning, 15 minutes later I was having symptoms, then less than an hour later I was collapsed on the ground," said Melanie. "Life has new meaning to me in valuing relationships and valuing people."

This miracle begins and ends in a library filled with stories. This story has a happy ending and a new friendship for life. 

"I took an oath, you know, to protect and to, you know, save lives," said Deputy Frierson.

RELATED: Carlsbad boy named 9-1-1 Hero for performing CPR on his mom and saving her life

  

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