 - Three Riverton Police Department officers received Life Saving Awards this week recognizing their “exceptional situational awareness, medical acuity, and professional judgment” during an emergency involving a hot-air balloon pilot at the 2025 Riverton Rendezvous.){kind=link}
(Riverton, WY) – Three Riverton Police Department officers received Life Saving Awards this week recognizing their “exceptional situational awareness, medical acuity, and professional judgment” during an emergency involving a hot-air balloon pilot at the 2025 Riverton Rendezvous.
The emergency occurred July 20, when RPD Sgt. Charlie Marshall and Officers Ambree McGuire and Brandon Brookover volunteered to serve as the chase crew for hot air balloon pilot Mark Williams, RPD Lt. Heath Wharton said during a Riverton City Council meeting Tuesday.
Due to crew shortages, McGuire ended up joining Williams in the balloon basket for the flight, Wharton said, while Brookover and Marshall followed on the ground.
During the flight, McGuire saw Williams vomit twice, Wharton said, so she checked his pulse and “urgently requested descent.”
When the balloon landed, Marshall noted that Williams was “pale, sweating profusely, and lethargic,” Wharton said – then Williams “collapsed,” and Brookover “immediately assessed (him), identifying classic cardiac symptoms, clammy skin, shortness of breath, chest pain, and radiating arm pain.”
“Despite Mr. Williams’ reluctance, the officers firmly insisted on immediate medical evaluation,” Wharton said. “Officer Brookover emphasized the critical need for hospital transport, while Officer McGuire provided critical in-flight observations that informed the assessment.”
After Marshall transported Williams to the Riverton hospital, Williams suffered “a second massive heart attack requiring CPR,” Wharton said.
The medical staff was able to restore his pulse, and he was airlifted to Casper, where Wharton said Williams “underwent emergency stent placement for a third attack.”
“Following up confirmed Mr. Williams survived multiple myocardial infarctions only because he was already under the medical care of our staff when the major event occurred,” Wharton said. “Williams later expressed profound gratitude stating the officer’s recognition of symptoms, decisive intervention, and insistence on treatment directly saved his life. …
“Their actions transformed a recreational volunteer role into a life-saving response, warranting the department’s highest recognition of life-saving service.”