INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Timothy Sposato, 36, was arrested by the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office on the evening of Wednesday, Feb. 4, on a warrant revoking his bond from a previous arrest.
Sposato arrived at the Indian River County Jail around 10 p.m. on a relatively active night. More than 10 others were waiting to be booked into the Indian River County Jail while five more waited to be released.
Despite this activity, Corrections Deputy Adam Vecchione noticed on surveillance cameras that Sposato was unresponsive in his cell. Deputy Vecchione responded to the cell and upon checking Sposato’s pulse immediately called for backup. Deputies Kenneth Stinson, Linda Rosado, Matthew Tangel, Lieutenant Frank LoMonaco, and Nurse Donna Hamilton all arrived at the cell with an automated external defibrillator (AED).
After determining that Sposato was not breathing, Deputies Vecchione and Stinson took turns providing chest compressions, while Deputies Rosado and Tangel provided rescue breaths. Their work saved Sposato’s life.
EMS arrived on scene and transported Sposato to the Indian River Medical Center where he was treated for a drug overdose. Sposato has since been returned to the Indian River County Jail where he is currently housed in the medical unit for observation.
“This was a textbook save by our corrections staff. Despite being a busy night in the booking area, they noticed that the inmate was unresponsive and immediately went to work on him,” said Indian River County Major Selby Strickland. “We are very proud of all of our corrections staff and thankful for those who saved Mr. Sposato last night.”
