ITD employees receive life-saving commendations

Two ITD Port of Entry employees were among those honored today for their heroic efforts and service to travelers.

Julie Roseborough and Renae Eddings from the Cottrell Port of Entry were the first to respond to a driver who appeared to be having a heart attack last summer. They initiated life-saving efforts while waiting for an Idaho State Police patrol officer and emergency medical technicians.

For their efforts, both received ISP Certificates of Appreciation for Heroism during a ceremony in Jerome today (Friday, May 31).

Roseborough, Cottrell Port of Entry inspector ran out of the port office after two people came in reporting a man had collapsed near the neighboring Cottrell Rest Area along westbound Interstate 84 in rural Cassia County on the evening of July 12, 2012. (See Transporter article.)

When she arrived, Roseborough found an older man surrounded by his wife and another couple. The man was unresponsive and had unstable breathing and pulse. The man at the scene, as Roseborough found out, was a trained EMT and her arrival initiated a combined effort to begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

“I knew when I saw the woman crying over her husband we couldn’t stand there and do nothing,” Roseborough said.

Fortunately, through previous job experience, Roseborough was trained in CPR. Ten years working as a certified nurse’s aide and another 10 years teaching physical education led to past certification and prepared her to respond to the life-threatening episode.

Eddings contacted the Idaho State Police to find out if a trooper was near with an Automated External Defibrillator (AED). Fortunately, trooper Brian Stradling was less than 10 miles away, returning from a crash near the Utah border.

Stradling administered two charges from the AED to stimulate Bernd Hoffman’s heart. The Cassia County Quick Response Unit ambulance arrived a short time later and found Hoffman gradually responding to resuscitation efforts. He was transported to the Cassia Regional Medical Center.

While en route, Hoffman needed four more defibrillation charges to keep his heart beating. He was stabilized at the hospital and later flown to St. Luke’s Magic Valley Medical Center in Twin Falls.

Hoffman had experienced a major heart attack, caused by a clogged artery often referred to as a “widow maker” because the condition usually is fatal. He had a 99 percent blockage in the major artery supplying blood to the heart.

Because of the quick action by Roseborough, Eddings and Stradling, the heart attack victim survived and is doing well.

In addition to administering life-saving care, Roseborough and Eddings also drove Hoffman’s vehicle to the hospital.


Col. Ralph Powell, Idaho State Police director, presented a Purple Heart to an officer who was injured while in the line of duty.

Cpl. Steve Hobbs will receive the Purple Heart Friday for events that occurred nearly 22 years ago.  On June 15, 1991, Cpl. Hobbs was patrolling near the Utah border on Interstate 84 when he stopped a speeding car. 

As he approached the driver’s door and began to say “good evening,” the suspect, 23 year-old Shawn Kerrigan, pulled out a 9mm pistol and fired four rounds. Two rounds impacted Cpl. Hobbs’ vest, and one round entered between the vest panels on his right side and traveled through his body. 

Because of his quick reaction to the threat, the fourth round missed Cpl. Hobbs, and he was able to retreat to his patrol car. As Kerrigan fled, Cpl. Hobbs gave chase, though seriously wounded.  Because of the amount of blood loss he sustained, Cpl. Hobbs fell unconscious and his patrol car veered off the road into the median, struck some rocks and caught fire. 

Passing citizens pulled him from the burning car and transported him to Snowville, Utah. 

An air ambulance met them, and transported Cpl. Hobbs to McKay-Dee Hospital in Ogden, Utah.  Kerrigan was apprehended 17 hours later, convicted of battery upon a police officer, aggravated battery and use of a deadly weapon in the commission of a felony. He was sentenced to 45 years in prison. 
 
The awarding of the Purple Heart to Cpl. Hobbs was delayed because ISP did not offer it at the time of the incident.

Published 5-31-13