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School resource officer improving after collapse

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By Marie Rossiter, Staff Writer Updated 1:07 AM Thursday, March 11, 2010

MIDDLETOWN — Middletown school resource officer Mike Davis was showing signs of improvement less than 24 hours after collapsing on the job at Wildwood Elementary, according to Atrium Medical Center officials.

Davis remained in the critical-care unit on Wednesday, March 10, but was upgraded from critical to fair condition, Atrium spokeswoman Wendy Parks said.

Middletown City Schools spokeswoman Debbie Alberico said Davis, 61, and Principal James Thomas had chased a student who ran into the street, and that not long after carrying the student back to the building, Davis collapsed. School nurse Sally Kash used a portable defibrillator and assisted in CPR with four other staff members until paramedics arrived, Alberico said.

Davis is known for heading the city’s summer Safety Town program in conjunction with the Middletown Police Department and Middletown Safety Council. The program, heading into its 32nd year, focuses on traffic, bus and car safety for kindergartners.

“It is considered a rite for passage for kids all over the city,” said Kristy Duritsch, director of the Middletown Safety Council. “They grow up hearing about it and can’t wait until it’s their turn.”

Duritsch visited Davis at the hospital Tuesday night and said she received word Wednesday that he was “alert and talking.”

Davis’ way with students is a vital part of the school, according to physical education teacher Su Burns. “He gets down on one knee to talk to them,” Burns said. “He knows them all by name. They call out his name whenever they see him. And, I think he feeds off of that, too. We just want him back.”

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