Nevada County Probation Officer III Ben Hertel was honored Thursday in Roseville after saving a fellow hockey player who suffered cardiac arrest on the ice.
What started as a pickup hockey game quickly turned into a life-or-death emergency when Ken Dorner suffered a medical emergency and collapsed on the ice without a pulse. Hertel sprang into action to help the man he had played with only a handful of times.
“He wasn’t on duty; he was simply a teammate who saw someone in need and immediately stepped forward,” said Nevada County Chief Probation Officer Jeff Goldman, who spoke at the event.
Still in his hockey gear, Hertel immediately started CPR and used an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) to help restore Dorner’s pulse before emergency medical personnel arrived. Dorner was without a heartbeat for two and a half minutes and Medical officials said Hertel’s efforts prevented Dorner from going brain-dead.
Humbled by the experience, Hertel emphasized how multiple people did their part, with focus and attention on saving Dorner’s life, when every second counted.
“I’m grateful for the support of everyone. Grateful for everyone who stepped in. When things need attention, you kind of rise to the occasion,” said Hertel, who had to wait several emotionally-charged days to get an update on Dorner’s condition.
On Thursday evening, about a dozen officers and their families traveled from Nevada County to Roseville to recognize Ben Hertel for his bravery, along with others who assisted at the scene, during a special ceremony held on the ice before a hockey game at Skatetown Ice Arena.
Hertel received a Certificate of Recognition from District 1 Assemblywoman Heather Hadwick and a “Heart Saver Hero Award” from the American Heart Association.
“When I walked in, the whole department was there. There were a lot of people and their families,” said Hertel, who was surprised by the outpouring of support. Hertel’s wife and son, who were with him during the incident, were by his side at the ceremony.
Supervising Deputy Probation Officer Robin Jones was so moved upon hearing that her colleague had saved someone’s life that she quickly collaborated with her team to organize a surprise ceremony recognizing his heroism.
“It could have ended in such a tragedy,” said Jones. “Instead, we got to come together and celebrate someone who stepped in when it mattered most and helped save someone’s life.”
After gaining approval from her boss, she applied for the award, collaborated with the skate rink and sent out a mass email to the Probation Department, inviting fellow officers to show up in support of their team member.
“The second I heard what he did – it was incredibly heroic in my eyes. This guy didn’t have a heartbeat and Ben was the catalyst for bringing his heartbeat back. Ben needs to be recognized for what he did. It’s really exciting to be part of that acknowledgement,” said Jones.
The survivor and his family were also in attendance. Dorner expressed gratitude and shared that he is feeling better after the close call, even though he has a few broken ribs from the CPR. Dorner and Hertel reconnected a few days after the incident over a beer at the Skate Arena.
Training Kicked In
Hertel joined the Nevada County Probation Department in 2019 and was promoted to Probation Officer III this spring. He currently supervises three different caseloads, including individuals on post-release community supervision and mandatory supervision, as well as people on formal probation who may face a higher risk of reoffending. Before his promotion, Hertel worked in the department’s pretrial division.
As the “trainer” for the American Heart Association through his role with Nevada County Probation, Hertel regularly teaches CPR and other lifesaving skills to fellow probation staff. He didn’t anticipate putting his training to the test during his downtime, playing recreational hockey.
“Hockey is kind of my escape from work where I unwind and decompress,” said Hertel.
“I felt it was a divine moment. Ben is a fast thinker and actor – it was a blessing that it happened in front of Ben. When you are in situations where you’ve spent so many years training, you revert to your training. It’s so important to train often,” said Jones.
Hertel estimates he has trained approximately 100 people for the Probation Department. This was the first incident that he used his training as a CPR Trainer in the real world, and it worked.
“It’s kind of locked in. It’s action; you go through all the checklists,” he said.
But it’s not the first time Hertel’s compassion and swift action have shown up in a time of need. A few years ago at the county fair, Hertel tied a tourniquet to slow blood loss when he encountered someone who suffered from a stab wound, said Jones.
“Sometimes the universe works in crazy ways. It confirms that this can happen to anyone, anywhere. A couple of hours of training can save a life. I’m so thankful the outcome was so positive,” said Hertel.
Laura Petersen is a freelance writer who lives in Grass Valley. This article was written on behalf of Nevada County. Contact Laura at laurapetersenmedia@gmail.com.