Farmer's Lifesaving Encounter with Deputy

A Second Chance at Life: The Unforgettable Encounter Between a Farmer and His Rescuer

Arnold Spencer, a farmer from rural southwest Missouri, recently experienced a life-changing moment when he met the man who saved his life. This heartwarming encounter took place in Barton County, where Spencer was filled with gratitude and emotion during a surprise visit.

“I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart,” said Spencer while shaking hands with the man who had become a vital part of his story. This meeting marked the first time that Spencer and Sergeant Nick Booe, a deputy from the Newton County Sheriff’s Office, had spoken since the incident that changed their lives.

Sergeant Booe, who had taken a day off from work, traveled to rural Barton County to meet Spencer. Their conversation was not just a reunion but a meaningful exchange about the events that unfolded more than two months ago.

On May 15, Sergeant Booe was on patrol when he noticed something unusual at the busy intersection of 32nd Street and Connecticut Avenue in Joplin. Initially, he thought it was just another motorist having car trouble. However, he quickly realized that an elderly man — later identified as Arnold Spencer — was experiencing a medical emergency while driving.

“My only thought was, ‘I’ve got to get the vehicle stopped and get him out and render some aid,’” said Booe. Spencer was suffering from a heart attack, and Booe acted swiftly to help.

The window of Spencer’s car was down, allowing Booe to reach through and unlock the door. He then entered the vehicle and put his foot on the brake. “If you watch the video, you hear me say, ‘break, break, break.’ I’m doing that because if he was to wake up, I don’t want him thinking I’m some guy stealing his car, so I’m repeating what I’m doing, that way if he came to, he would know what I was trying to do,” explained Booe.

He pulled the unconscious Spencer out of the driver’s seat and performed CPR until additional help arrived. “I’ve done CPR before on people, but nothing to this extent,” said Booe.

After spending two weeks in the hospital, Spencer made a full recovery. He credits his survival to divine intervention, believing that a higher power placed the right person in the right place at the right time. “I was a very lucky man to have the people around me at that time,” said Spencer. “I think the lord put me at that intersection,” added Booe.

Spencer’s daughter, Susie Johnson, shared her family's perspective on the event. “We continue to say the officer was put there by God. The right place at the right time,” she said. For Spencer, the experience has been transformative. “That guy is my guardian angel. I’ve said it 100,000 times; he is my guardian angel. God sent him there,” he said.

Despite the praise, Sergeant Booe remains humble. “To me, the people I work with every day, the people on my team, they’re the heroes. I’m just there working with them,” he said. However, the bond between Booe and Spencer has grown stronger, and their meeting has set the stage for future connections.

“I am going to take him out to dinner. Him and his wife both,” said Spencer, expressing his desire to show his appreciation in a personal way.

This story highlights the importance of quick thinking, compassion, and the unexpected moments that can change lives forever. It also serves as a reminder of the impact one individual can have on another’s life, even in the most challenging circumstances.