Parker said Smith said they had developed a good rapport with Dutson even though all three had been together only a day or two. Before the afternoon incident, they'd been laughing and joking around, Parker said. Dutson hadn't given any hint that he felt ill.

Lt. Mary Lindstrand, a spokeswoman for the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office, said Dutson is a 25-year veteran of the department and supervises work crews.

He was listed in critical condition Monday at Legacy Emanuel Hospital. Lindstrand said she doesn't know whether Dutson has a history of heart problems.

Dutson's brother-in-law, John Harlan, praised the swift actions of the inmates at a news conference at the hospital Monday morning: "They saved his life," Harlan said.



Jail records show that Parker, 46, was charged with contempt of court, a misdemeanor, and is scheduled to be released May 9. Smith, 45, was charged with fourth-degree domestic assault, a misdemeanor. He is scheduled to be released June 22.

Lindstrand said Parker and Smith were part of a Metro work crew and were carting garbage to the dump in an extended cab pickup truck hauling a utility trailer. Dutson noticed a stranded motorist on Northeast 33rd Avenue and Marine Drive and stopped to help.



As Dutson tried to assist the motorist, he seemed to stumble, Lindstrand said. When it became apparent he was in trouble, one of the inmates tried to call for help on the Dutson's cell phone but was unable to get through because the phone was locked.

That's when the motorist called 9-1-1. A doctor who was passing by also stopped to help, Lindstrand said.

After paramedics arrived, a second work crew arrived to take Smith and Parker back to the jail.

Lindstrand said sheriff's officials would find a way to acknowledge both inmates' good deeds

"I'm thrilled they took the time to get involved," Lindstrand said. "Inmates are not bad people. They got caught doing something against societal rules and they're paying the consequences."