COPPERAS COVE, Texas — On July 30 around 5:15 a.m. a Copperas Cove man was in his kitchen on his way to the bathroom when he suffered a heart attack.
Delphis Benoit, 93, was at his home with his daughter and wife when he fell to his knees and his daughter, Karin Marina immediately called 9-1-1 and administered CPR herself.
"I had probably gone two minutes doing CPR when the officer walked in, and I told him 'sir I'm getting tired can you help me' and he jumped in and I think two pumps and you hear 'uhh' and daddy was back," said Marina.
That officer who saved his life was Garrison McGee with the Copperas Cove Police Department.
"That's just what the job is, there's people out there that need us," McGee said.
Because of McGee's swift action, Benoit was able to be transported to the hospital, where he lived for roughly four more hours before he died. He was surrounded by his wife, daughter and other family members.
"I thank God that I was able to be there," McGee said. "I thank God that I was able to do that for them."
Benoit was a veteran of the Vietnam and Korean Wars, and Marina said he was a rock for their family.
"He was coherent when we got to the hospital and he passed holding mama's hand," Marina said. "He didn't pass away until he was able to tell my mom he loved her, and we credit officer McGee with that."
McGee had ten kids and served 24 years of his live in the Army, followed by 20 years of Silver Service.
His wife, Karen Benoit said that the 93-year-old was buried in the Copperas Cove Cemetery so that he could be buried next to his wife with a headstone engraved with both of their names.
"These officers don't get the thanks, and they deserve the thanks. And I know there's a place for them in heaven," Marina said. "Officer Magee's going to heaven."
Officer McGee has signed up Karin Benoit for their community "Are You Ok Program" where he will stop by at least once a week and check up on the family.