Reservist's wife saves soldier's life

  • Published
  • By American Red Cross
HOMESTEAD, Fla. --  Late one rainy evening, Jesika Davis, former director of service to the Armed Forces at the American Red Cross South Florida Region, was still in her South Dade office, when she received an urgent phone call. By chance she just so happened to still be working that night. The call came from the family of a soldier who was in the midst of a pressing crisis.
    
Pvt. Oliver of the United States Army (name was changed for privacy) just finished basic training in Georgia, and returned to South Florida to reconnect with friends and family, and to meet his 4-year-old son for the first time.
    
That is when tragedy struck: Oliver's son was involved in an incident in the bathtub that lead to his death, which caused Oliver to go into a state of utter distress. His family, feared for his safety, tried contacting other outlets for help, but had no luck, now they looked to the American Red Cross for life-saving assistance.
   
Oliver was in military limbo, the base where he finished basic already released him from their care, and since he had not yet reported to his assignment in Germany, there was no service readily available for him to get help, so his family called Davis.
    
Within 20 minutes of receiving the call from the family, Davis and Akilah Irvin, an American Red Cross AmeriCorps member, were on the scene trying to help the family.
    
"There was an uneasy sense of calm. You could just tell something was not right by the way everyone was acting," said Davis.
   
Upon assessing the situation, Davis and Irvin quickly knew they could not handle this situation on their own so they contacted the Red Cross Mental Health team, Veterans Link-Up, and other resources for guidance. 
   
"I look back and there were several opportunities to pass this case over to someone else or give a phone number," said Davis. "But I felt it was my responsibility to help him. It's about the life of a young man."
    
First, Davis and her contacts found Oliver a safe space at Homestead Air Reserve Base, an area where he would feel comfortable because of his military background.
    
Soon after getting to the base, she realized it may have helped, but was not the best place for Oliver to get the medical attention he needed. That is when she turned to the VA Hospital in downtown Miami for help. Problem was, the VA hospital is located 30 miles away from the Air Reserve Base in Homestead. She had to find the safest way to transport Oliver to the hospital. 
    
Finally, she was able to reach the local authorities to obtain the help of an ambulance. The family and Davis were worried that any interaction with the authorities would cause more stress, but to everyone's surprise Oliver went willingly.
    
"For me, at that point, I knew everything was going to be ok with that young man," said Davis. "He would be in the good care of the doctors of the VA hospital, they could watch him and deal with any needs that he may have."
    
The event that unloaded before Davis hit close to home. As a military spouse, to an Airman assigned at Homestead Air Reserve Base, she was able to relate the stress and feeling of helplessness Oliver's family went through when the traditional support network falls short.
    
Davis is credited with saving the life of Oliver. Her actions lead to a commendation from Miami-Dade County District 8 Commissioner, Lynda Bell, which was presented to Davis May 25 at the Military Affairs Chamber South breakfast.
    
"I didn't expect this much attention from doing my job. I am humbled by the trust that the family bestowed on me and the American Red Cross," said Davis. "I am honored that I had a part in bringing peace to the family in their time of crisis." 
    
Davis currently serves as director of planning and preparedness for the American Red Cross South Florida Region.