The family of a man who died following a heart attack in the street have donated two mobile defibrillators to a police force in his memory.

Robert Ridley had a sudden heart attack while walking along New Road in Croxley Green on the evening of February 21 last year.

Members of the public went to his aid and immediately called emergency services.

Four police officers from Three Rivers’ response team were first on the scene, bringing with them the only automated external defibrillator available to to police response team in the district, and began to use the machine to give Mr Ridley CPR until paramedics arrived.

The 61-year-old, who lived in Croxley Green for 37 years, was taken to Watford General Hospital but despite doctors’ best efforts, Mr Ridley passed away.

Watford Observer:

Robert Ridley

Exactly a year on, Mr Ridley's family visited Rickmansworth police station to present officers with two mobile defibrillators.

His widow Jan and children Chaz and Laura were joined by Chief Inspector David Partridge, Inspector Jinesh Solankee, and the four officers who were with Mr Ridley after his heart attack - Sergeant Gary Cranfield, PC Nia Hadley, PC Matt Perrin and PC Jake Barnard.

Daughter Laura said: "We are so grateful to the officers who came to Dad’s aid that night. They attended quickly and tried their best to save him using the defibrillator stored in the police car.

"Afterwards we found out that the defibrillator they used was the only one available to the local police in Three Rivers."

"We didn’t want another family to lose their loved one just because a defibrillator wasn’t available, so we made the decision to ask family and friends for donations towards the cost of a new one.

"We were amazed by people’s generosity, which has enabled us to buy a total of four defibrillators. We are donating two to Three Rivers Police, and previously donated another to Watford Rugby Club in November 2019. The fourth will be placed in Ruislip High Street, to support the community where Robert worked as a hairdresser.

"Robert was a well loved and respected character and this is evident in people’s generosity. He was generous with his time and strived to improve the communities he was part of. We like to think that these machines are his legacy – he is still helping people now, even though he is no longer here with us.

"We would urge anyone who witnesses someone suffering a heart attack or going into cardiac arrest to contact ambulance and police by dialling 999 and ask for a defibrillator. Your actions could save someone’s life."

Watford Observer:

A photo from the presentaton on Friday. Front row l-r: PC Nia Hadley, Inspector Jinesh Solankee, Laura Ridley, Jan Ridley and Sergeant Gary Cranfield. Back row l-r: PC Jake Barnard, Chief Inspector David Partridge, Chaz Ridley and PC Matt Perrin

Inspector Solankee said: "We are very grateful to the friends and family of Robert Ridley for donating these two potentially-life saving pieces of equipment to us. Their kindness and generosity means that we can help protect even more people in our community, and we think it’s a wonderful way to honour Robert’s memory."

Anyone who is considering donating a defibrillator to the force should contact Inspector Solankee by emailing jinesh.solankee@herts.pnn.police.uk.