Long Island School Nurse, Police Officer Honored For Life-Saving Efforts

BRENTWOOD, N.Y. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- A school nurse and a police officer were lauded Friday for reviving a 10-year-old boy who was found unresponsive at a school playground on Long Island.

As CBS2's Jennifer McLogan reported, a ceremony was held Friday for Suffolk County Police Officer John McAuley and nurse Mary Alice Koch.

"I don't feel like a hero," Koch said. "This is my job."

Keyshawn Grenville had collapsed in the sand, and was not breathing and had no pulse, when police were called to Laurel Park Elementary School in Brentwood around 2:45 p.m. Wednesday.

"I was working in my office and somebody ran in and they said, 'Something happened to a kid,'" Koch told 1010 WINS. "I just ran."

Students were panicking and crying.

"I was shaking him and all I kept thinking in my head was: 'Keyshawn, you can't die on me! You can't die on me!'" Koch said.

Keyshawn was unconscious. Koch's training instantaneously instantaneously kicked into high gear as McAuley pulled up to the school.

"I have to thank (McAuley) so much, because if he didn't do the breaths and I didn't do the compressions, I don't think it would have been."

A delirious Keyshawn slowly came to, WCBS 880's Peter Haskell reported.

"His arm just reached up and gave me a hug, which totally made me break down when I got into my office," Keyshawn said.

Keyshawn was rushed to the hospital as his heart regained rhythm.

"The adrenaline was going and I was so happy that this little boy -- the sweetest little boy -- was good," Koch said.

Koch was honored at her school for her courage and compassion. She became a nurse and dedicated herself to the profession after the birth of her own child.

"I have a daughter with a disability. She was my inspiration," Koch said.

According to the grateful family, Keyshawn's parents are at their son's hospital bedside. He needs to be observed over the weekend, but doctors say he may even return to school next week.

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