Video: Officers Save Collapsed Bagpiper at Police Week Ceremony
Two officers attending a Police Week ceremony in Washington Wednesday night helped save the life of a police bagpiper who collapsed from a heart attack during the Emerald Society March.

Two officers attending a Police Week ceremony in Washington Wednesday night helped save the life of a police bagpiper who collapsed from a heart attack during the Emerald Society March.
St. Louis County Officer Gary Robertson and Orlando Police Lt. Douglas Goerke rushed to help Lito Lemus, 63, of Schererville, Ind., until an ambulance arrived. Several other officers also helped, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Robertson told D.C.-area reporters he had just given Lemus a bottle of water when Lemus collapsed. He said he and Goerke realized the bagpiper was in cardiac arrest. Robertson said he felt for Lemus' pulse and found none, and immediately began chest compressions. Goerke said he and Robertson worked together to help Lemus even though they didn't know each other.
"With all the medical training we do, we go by national standards," Goerke told NBC's WRC-TV in Washington. "When we look, I can see what he's doing and know exactly where he is, when I move somewhere else I know exactly what I'm going to be doing, so it's a seamless transition." CPR and an automated defibrillator were used on the man.
Orlando Police Department motor units, who also participated in the activities, escorted the ambulance to the hospital, according to WKMG TV in Orlando.
Lemus was rushed into surgery. He was awake and responsive Wednesday night and is expected to recover.
More Patrol

Garmont Tactical Contact Collection: New Duty Boots for Law Enforcement
Choosing the right duty boot can make a significant difference during long shifts. In this video overview, Kyle Ferdyn, of Garmont Tactical, introduces the new Contact Collection, designed specifically for law enforcement professionals seeking comfort, traction, and durability.
Read More →
Benchmade Launches Taiga Green Bailout
Benchmade has launched its Taiga Green Bailout, which features an anodized aluminum handle, S90V stainless steel, and Burnt Copper hardware accents.
Read More →
Adept Armor Launches the Nova Titanium Combat Helmet: A Metal Ballistic Helmet at Composite-Helmet Weight
Adept Armor said its new Nova Titanium combat helmet delivers rated 9mm protection at 920 grams all-in, low backface deformation, edge-to-edge coverage, and an indefinite shelf life at roughly a quarter the price of premium polyethylene helmets.
Read More →
5.11 Expands Professional Services Line with Premium, Performance-Driven Scrubs Designed for Healthcare Professionals
The launch of high-performance medical scrubs marks another major expansion of 5.11’s growing Professional Services category, enabling hospitals and healthcare systems to outfit a wide range of roles.
Read More →
SOG Knives Unveils 250th Anniversary Limited Edition Fixed Blade
SOG Knives has debuted its 250th Anniversary Limited Edition SEAL FX Fixed Blade, and only 250 are available. It features an advanced 4.3-inch S35VN steel blade and a tough glass-reinforced nylon handle.
Read More →
POLICE Product Test: Streamlight Wedge SL
The Streamlight Wedge SL is a high-performance light for inspection or administrative tasks that features USB-C charging and an output up to 500 lumens in a compact package.
Read More →
NLEOMF Officer of the Month Saved Child from Burning Vehicle
The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund named Officer Michael Jaycox of the San Jose Police Department (California) as the Officer of the Month for May 2026. Read more about Jaycox’s heroic actions.
Read More →
Garmont Tactical Introduces the Contact Collection for LE
Garmont Tactical has launched its Contact Collection, a new lineup of law-enforcement duty boots featuring 4-inch and 6-inch options, including waterproof models.
Read More →
Folds of Honor Celebrates Graduation Season as 1,613 Military and First Responder Family Scholars Earn Their Degrees
Every Folds of Honor scholar graduating in the Class of 2026 carries a story starting with sacrifice. Folds of Honor ensures it doesn’t end there. Since 2007, Folds of Honor has awarded nearly 73,000 educational scholarships to military and first responder families.
Read More →
Why Tennessee’s New Deadly Force Law Matters Beyond Tennessee
Tennessee’s new deadly force law is more limited than many may realize. Effective July 1, 2026, the law applies to a person who is not engaged in conduct that would constitute a felony or a Class A misdemeanor and who is in a place where the person lawfully resides. But it could have far-reaching influence.
Read More →