‘He Saved Me’: EMSA Paramedic Comforts OKC Woman After Husband’s Death

Paramedics do the best they can to save lives. However, they can’t save everyone -- and that was the case for one Oklahoma City woman’s husband. Patrice Harris said a simple act of kindness helped her heal.

“Oklahoma City’s been my home for a while now. My husband and I were together for about 28 of those [years],” Harris said. 

The story of a person’s life features characters and the relationships they share. 

“Robert Harris was this wonderful individual that never had an enemy in his life,” Harris said. “I was the extravert and the talker.”  

Harris reflects on her relationship with her husband.  

“He was the healthiest guy in the room until Monday, May 22nd,” Harris said. “It just happened.” 

EMSA Paramedic Stone Dudley’s unit tried to save Robert from a heart attack that night.  

“We weren’t able to get anything done,” Dudley said. 

“I knew he couldn’t help my husband,” Harris said. “I knew there was nothing there.”  

However, Dudley saved another life. 

“He saved me,” Harris said. “He did.”  

Dudley’s mom is a doctor and he said she would always say kindness can go a long way in the midst of trauma. 

“Sometimes it’s not about the patients that we can’t save,” Dudley said. “We have to act to the patients that we can.” 

Harris hoped she’d see Dudley again. She got her wish.  

“He’s just a hero for me,” Harris said. “Then he brought me beautiful flowers Sunday on my birthday.”   

To Dudley, Robert the patient became Robert the Vietnam veteran, the musician, a father, and a husband. Harris’s life story added a new character.   

“He was the first angel that came for me,” Harris said. 

A relationship with mutual empathy for each other.  

“I know they don’t get as good as they give,” Harris said. 

Words became the best medicine, healing a broken heart from a remembered one. 

“Being nice to somebody just goes to show what it can do,” Dudley said. 

 “It was true heart,” Harris said.