The Shakopee Mdewakanton Dakota Community announced today that it will help pay for defibrillators to equip every State Patrol squad car in the state.

Automated external defibrillators help jumpstart the heart of a person in cardiac arrest until an ambulance arrives.

Gov. Tim Pawlenty, Tribal Chairman Stanley Crooks and Col. Mark Dunaski of the State Patrol jointly made the announcement this morning at the State Capitol.

The tribe's $200,000 donation, along with $312,000 provided by the state Legislature, will equip 499 State Patrol squad cars with the defibrillators.

The tribe also has made many donations of defibrillators to area schools and organizations in recent years.