Holly MatkinBunnell, FL – Bunnell Police Department (BPD) Sergeant Dominic Guida died in the line of duty Tuesday after suffering a cardiac event during Emergency Response Team training.
The medical emergency occurred as the longtime sergeant was participating in the group training at the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO) training facility on Justice Lane at approximately 4 p.m. on Nov. 9, Flagler Live reported.
Sgt. Guida, 43, was in a fire tower when the cardiac event hit.
Fellow officers and FCSO deputies immediately began performing CPR until medical personnel arrived at the scene, BPD Chief Tom Foster told WESH.
Sgt. Guida was rushed to AdventHealth hospital by an ambulance shortly before 4:30 p.m., followed by at least nine law enforcement vehicles, Flagler Live reported.
Chief Foster said emergency medical personnel did everything they could to save him, WESH reported.
Less than 90 minutes after the initial cardiac event occurred, Sgt. Guida was pronounced dead at the hospital, according to Flagler Live.
“Dominic was a great officer, and an even better human being, and we are all suffering the loss of Sgt. Guida,” Chief Foster told the paper as he was traveling to the hospital Tuesday night. “We are deeply saddened by his passing.”
Sgt. Guida served as a FCSO deputy for 12 years before joining the BPD in 2016, Flagler Live reported.
Bunnell Mayor Catherine Robinson said she was devastated to learn of the veteran officer’s sudden death.
“This is such a tragedy for the community, Bunnell and myself,” Robinson told Flagler Live. “He was one of the good guys and my heart is broken. What a huge loss.”
Bunnell City Manager Alvin Jackson said the loss of Sgt. Guida marked a “very numbing time” for the city, WESH reported.
“He was truly a kind, humble, fun-loving and lively police sergeant,” Jackson said. “There will be a great hole in our city and police department. My thoughts and prayers are with the family of Dominic, our police chief and our officers.”
Sad news from #bunnell police department. Chief Tom Foster says Sgt. Dominic Guida died today after suffering a medical episode during ERT training. Chief Foster says his officers & @FlaglerSheriff deputies performed CPR until medical help arrived. pic.twitter.com/uxoWSDLzIu
— claire metz (@clairemetzwesh) November 9, 2021
#news13flagler – #BREAKING – Bunnell Police Sergeant Dominic Guida died Tuesday. He suffered a heart problem while participating in a training event with the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office. He was rushed to a local hospital, where he died. @MyNews13 pic.twitter.com/G7fc7f6wC0
— Kevin P. Connolly (@KevinPConnolly_) November 10, 2021
Sheriff Staly and the #FCSO send our condolences to our brothers and sisters of the Bunnell Police Department as they mourn the loss of Sergeant Dominic Guida, who died in the line-of-duty today
Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and the BPD during this time. pic.twitter.com/E0nAFZLEKU
— DrJoeSaviak (@DrJoeSaviak) November 9, 2021
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Bunnell Police Department Sergeant Dominic Guida, both blood and blue. Thank you for your service.
Rest easy, hero. We’ll hold the line from here.
Sandy Malone
