Daytona Firefighter Credited With Saving Officer's Life

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Daytona Beach, FL - One local first responder gives a big assist to another, likely saving his life in the process.

Daytona Beach firefighter James Axiotis sprung into action when a man collapsed at a gym in Port Orange on Friday (January 11th), reviving him with a combination of hands-on CPR and an electronic heart-starting device.

That man has since been identified as Daytona Beach Police Department Officer Sean Walker, according to Daytona Beach Fire Department spokesperson Sasha Staton.

"Axiotis noticed a group of gym-goers gathering around an unresponsive male," Staton added. "Axiotis immediately ran over to find a male laying on the ground, not breathing."

That's when he start performing CPR and had a bystander bring an AED which was already on site, using it to shock Walker's heart and get his pulse back, per Staton.

"Officer Walker was transported to the hospital where a cardiologist credited quick action by Axiotis and immediate CPR for his survival," Staton noted. "Officer Walker is currently recovering at home and is expected to make a full recovery."

Walker and Axiotis were both off-duty at the time.

Axiotis is a nine-year DBFD veteran who serves as a Driver/Engineer and Paramedic, specializing in assisting DBPD SWAT personnel.

Walker has spent the last eight years with DBPD after retiring as a sergeant with the Port Orange Police Department. The former U.S. Marine has also taught at Daytona State College’s Law Enforcement Academy for over 17 years, specializing as a defensive tactics & firearms instructor.