Tucson Police Receive Donation for Defibrillators

The Tucson Police Department will be getting dozens of new medical devices that can be used to save the lives of heart attack victims.

The Gootter Foundation raised $500,000 at a charity event earlier this year and is using the proceeds to fund cardiac death research and to purchase automated external defibrillators for public institutions across southern Arizona, including Tucson police.

The organization will present 50 AEDs to Police Chief Roberto Villasenor at Monday’s City Council meeting.

Since 2009, the organization has distributed several dozen of the devices to schools, churches, recreational centers and other public places. Training has also been provided for each of the recipients.