Florida Paramedic Honored for Airplane Heroics

Davie Fire Rescue Lt. Jim Ross, 36, was coming home after spending a long weekend in Las Vegas. It was a quick reunion with his former high school and college buddies, and he was happy he managed not to lose money.

Henry Lupkowski, 86, sat in the last seat of the plane after attending his younger brother's funeral in Phoenix.

Suddenly, Lupkowski felt nauseated and fainted.

The Southwest Airlines flight had a layover in Phoenix on its way to Fort Lauderdale when an attendant asked if there was a doctor on board. Ross had paramedic training.

''I just did it because it's what I do at my job,'' Ross said of his quick reaction on March 29.

In a flash, Ross unbuttoned Lupkowski's shirt to check for scars on his chest and determine if he had a heart condition.

Ross discovered Lupkowski had a nitroglycerin patch that people who have heart problems often wear. It also causes low blood pressure.

''I removed it,'' Ross said of the patch. ``I put on the oxygen mask, and he started coming back.''

For acting so swiftly, Ross will receive Davie's Paramedic of the Year award Wednesday before Town Council members and Mayor Tom Truex. The award is given to firefighters who show bravery off duty.

Ross later learned that Lupkowski, of Cooper City, is the grandfather of recently hired Davie firefighter Andre Lupkowski.

''While waiting outside, I met up with Lt. Ross and I just wanted to thank him again,'' said Andre Lupkowski, who was waiting for the flight to arrive at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.

``I think Lt. Ross was on that plane for a reason. I thank God for that.''

Henry Lupkowski said doctors at Memorial Regional Hospital in Hollywood didn't know what caused him to pass out.

''It might have been the excitement of everything,'' he said, referring to the funeral of his brother, Edward, 82, which he organized.

''They would have put him in a pauper's grave because he had no relatives there,'' he said.

``That's why I wanted to give him a Christian burial despite my condition. That's why I went out there.''