Partnership Award Presented to Lifesaving Bystanders
On Wednesday, June 3, 2026, the Corvallis Police Department was honored to present two local community members with the Corvallis Police Department Partnership Award for their quick actions which helped save a life in April.
In the early afternoon hours of April 20, 2026, the Corvallis Regional Communications Center received a 9-1-1 call regarding a motor vehicle which had crashed off the roadway. Bystanders John Schneider and Megan Gregory-Goplen sprang into action and quickly realized the crash was due to a medical event suffered by the driver. With the guidance of 9-1-1 Telecommunicator Anna Schulz, Schneider and Gregory-Goplen began CPR efforts on the unconscious driver until emergency responders could arrive.
“In moments of crisis, most people will experience fear and uncertainty,” shared Chief of Police Jason Harvey. “The individuals we are honoring today chose to act. Faced with a life-threatening emergency, they stepped forward, provided CPR, and gave someone in our community a fighting chance at life.”
To make the presentation of the awards even more special, the driver, John Short, whose life was saved, and his wife, Carolyn, were in attendance with friends and family. It was the first time since the incident in April that those involved were in the same room together.
In addition to the Partnership Awards, Chief Harvey also presented 9-1-1 Telecommunicator Schulz with a Lifesaving Award for her calm and professional CPR instructions, as well as gathering critical information for first responders about the scene. Officer Joel Hodgkinson, who took over CPR until paramedics could arrive, was presented with his own Lifesaving Award last month.
John Schneider could not be in attendance, but was recognized publicly for his valiant efforts to save a life, and will receive his award at a later date.
