Miami-Dade mayor honors heroes who saved officer in McDonald's drive-through

Officer listed in stable condition after going into cardiac arrest

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez honored first responders and McDonald's employees Friday, all of whom helped to save the life of a Miami-Dade police officer who had gone into cardiac arrest.

"Your actions saved the life of one of our officers from the Miami-Dade Police Department," Gimenez told the heroes.

One by one, the group was honored for saving the officer's life Tuesday after she went into cardiac arrest in the drive-through of the Doral McDonald’s restaurant.

"(If) I didn't move quickly, there wouldn't be, you know, a fast enough possibility to save that woman's life," McDonald's employee Pedro Viloria said.  

Viloria was captured on surveillance video jumping out the drive-through window when he noticed something was wrong with the 44-year-old officer.

Viloria said he is humbled by the recognition Friday, not only for himself, but everyone else involved.

"They are all heroes, and they all are destined to keep on helping others. This, you know, restores my faith in humanity," he said. 

Firefighters Lazaro Fernandez and Jean Joseph were getting breakfast that morning when they noticed the commotion around the officer's car.

Rookie Doral police Officer Chantal Cubela responded to the scene and used her department-issued automated external defibrillator to regain a pulse on the officer.

"I just did my job," Cubela said. "I just did everything I was supposed to do, everything that we're trained to do." 

Everyone involved was humbled by the recognition and said they were not expecting an award.

The Miami-Dade police officer remains in intensive care at Kendall Regional Medical Center. She underwent surgery Thursday and is listed in stable condition.


About the Author:

Sanela Sabovic joined Local 10 News in September 2012 as an assignment editor and associate producer. In August 2015, she became a full-time reporter and fill-in traffic reporter. Sanela holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications with a concentration in radio, television and film from DePaul University.