LORDSBURG, N.M. –
A routine surveillance shift turned into a lifesaving response for U.S. Army Reserve Sergeants Jack Dylan Fuller and Peter Gillis, both natives of Milan, Ohio, when they assisted a distressed civilian near Lordsburg, New Mexico, on March 1, 2025.
Fuller and Gillis, assigned to the 192nd Quartermaster Company, Task Force Central, were monitoring the southern border at a Mobile Surveillance Capabilities site positioned off a highway near Lordsburg. The two had spent several hours using advanced infrared cameras and radar to track potential activity along the border.
As their shift neared its end, a civilian approached their vehicle and alerted them to a woman nearby who appeared to be suffering from a stroke.
Fuller, a civilian EMT firefighter, responded immediately to provide aid while Gillis remained at the site to contact U.S. Customs and Border Protection for additional support.
Fuller reached the woman within moments and quickly assessed her condition. She was disoriented, dehydrated, and experiencing hearing loss. Dressed in protective gear, she had reportedly been riding a dirt bike when the symptoms began.
“When I got there, she was lying on the ground, complaining of extreme headaches and excessive thirst, so I assisted her as best I could and got her some water,” Fuller said. “It didn’t appear to be a stroke, as she had full mobility on both sides. I recognized symptoms consistent with heat-related illness—severe headaches, dehydration and disorientation—so I treated it as a possible heat stroke.”
Fuller provided hydration and supportive care, ensuring the woman remained conscious. Within 10 minutes, a CBP agent arrived, transported her in the back of their vehicle, and took her to the nearest hospital.
Once the situation was resolved, Fuller returned to the site to complete the shift with Gillis.
Back at their unit, the incident prompted discussions during debriefing. None of their fellow soldiers had encountered a similar event, leading the command team to initiate additional training focused on identifying and responding to heat-related injuries.
“I feel like additional training for heat-related injuries would do us good,” Fuller said. “Especially with our current mission here on the southern border—those are the injuries we’re most likely to see, from both soldiers and civilians.”
Fuller later learned the woman made a full recovery. The experience underscored the importance of readiness in unpredictable situations and highlighted how military personnel—whether serving in combat or support roles—must remain prepared to respond to emergencies.
For Fuller and Gillis, the event served as a powerful reminder: even during surveillance operations, the duty to serve extends beyond observation. In moments of crisis, swift action can save lives.