Franklin Police officer Scott Legieza thanks community after near-fatal heart attack
Scott Legieza didn't realize how serious the pain he felt really was.
The Franklin police officer was on a Caribbean cruise last month, celebrating a belated honeymoon with his wife, Bri, when he started feeling pain in his chest.
He tried to ignore it, in part because he didn't want to interrupt the much-needed vacation. And he was too stubborn to get it checked out.
Soon, he felt he didn't have a choice.
He and his wife made their way to the ship's medical center, where the diagnosis became clear: He was having a heart attack. Then, as the staff tried to stabilize him and make arrangements to transport him onshore, he felt himself drifting from consciousness.
"I don't know how to explain it other than, my body just knew I was about to die," Legieza said, weeks later. "I know it's cliché, but I said, 'Tell my wife I love her, tell my friends and family I love them.'"
Legieza's memory is hazy as far as what happened next.
He said he lost consciousness and saw a glimpse of his son, Destin Legieza. Destin, a Brentwood police officer, was killed in an early morning crash in June 2020 after being struck by a driver on the wrong side of the road.
Then he remembers being woken up, surrounded by a team of doctors. He was later told he was pronounced clinically dead before medical staff resuscitated him. "I'm trying to wrap my head around, 'What did I just go through?'" Legieza said.
Legieza: 'They saved my life'
Now back home in Tennessee and completing cardiac rehab, Legieza is trying to thank everyone who's supported him since his near fatal heart attack, from the ship's medical staff to neighbors who sent prayers and financial support to help him return back to America.
"It's been unbelievable — unbelievable — the love and support that has been poured to me with my current situation," Legieza said. "The support that this community gives and has given me, I will always be grateful."
Legieza credits the Royal Caribbean cruise ship's medical staff — particularly a care provider named Lara, who was the first face he saw when he regained consciousness. The ship's captain, he said, accelerated the ship so he could be transferred quicker to onshore treatment on the nearby island of Sint Maarten.
"They deserve a lot of credit for what they do. They were amazing. They were incredible," Legieza said.
"They saved my life. How can they not mean something to you?"
After learning how much it would cost for treatment and transportation back to the United States — more than $30,000 to book a medevac flight from Sint Maarten to Florida, according to the family — loved ones set up a GoFundMe page to help cover expenses. That fundraiser had received $49,556 as of press time.
Legieza's rock during tough times: 'She's been absolutely incredible'
Legieza eventually returned back to the United States, and then to Tennessee, but he said he never had to worry much about the travel logistics. His wife Bri, handled behind-the-scenes challenges such as communicating with family, arranging travel and more, allowing him to focus on recovery.
"She's been my rock," he said. "She's tough. She's a very tough woman, and she keeps me where I need to be mentally, physically. She's been absolutely incredible."
She's also helped him stay on track with his rehabilitation back in Tennessee. In between doctor's visits he writes letters to the ship's medical staff, responds to messages of encouragement and tries to wrap his head around the support his family has received from friends, neighbors and total strangers.
"They rallied. And they always have," Legieza said. "I just want to tell people thank you."
Cole Villena covers Williamson County at The Tennessean, part of the USA Today Network — Tennessee. Reach Cole at cvillena@tennessean.com or 615-925-0493. Follow Cole on Twitter at @ColeVillena and on Instagram at @CVinTennessee.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Franklin Police officer Legieza recovers after heart attack
