A recent event at Highmark Stadium underscored the critical importance of swift emergency response, as a 70-year-old woman received life-saving care from a dedicated team of deputies and medical professionals following a Bills Blue & Red practice.

The critical situation began around 7:40 p.m. on a Friday night when Reserve Deputies John Klingesmith and Greg Daniel observed the woman in distress, slumped over a railing near Section 101, quickly recognizing the urgency of the moment.

Demonstrating remarkable presence of mind and physical capability, Deputy Klingesmith immediately carried the unresponsive woman to a safer, more accessible location at the top of a walkway, while Deputy Daniel efficiently cleared an area to allow her to be laid down for immediate assessment.

Upon the deputies’ initial intervention, trained physicians and EMTs quickly converged on the scene, seamlessly taking over the critical care. Their expertise was crucial in stabilizing the woman and preparing her for transport.

Following the on-site stabilization, the medical team carefully transported the woman out of Highmark Stadium through Gate 2, where patrol deputies were ready to facilitate her urgent transfer to Mercy Hospital in South Buffalo, where she was admitted in stable condition.

This incident, thankfully with a positive outcome, marks a significant moment for the Erie County Sheriff’s office, which highlighted that this was the second such life-saving measure provided to a fan at Highmark Stadium within an eight-month span, emphasizing the consistent readiness of their personnel.

The previous instance, occurring on December 22, 2024, involved a 61-year-old man who also required CPR after becoming unresponsive at the same stadium, with Reserve Deputy Kowal playing a pivotal role in that successful intervention.

Erie County Sheriff John Garcia lauded the collective efforts, stating, “Thank God for the professionalism and training of our deputies, the EMTs and physicians on scene at Highmark Stadium. They are all heroes,” a sentiment that resonates deeply within the community.

These repeated acts of heroism by emergency services and trained professionals at public venues like Highmark Stadium underscore the vital necessity of robust preparedness and the invaluable impact of trained personnel in ensuring public safety during large gatherings.