Rodd Fernandes, the former EMT for Pahrump Valley Fire and Rescue Service, had his paramedic license reinstated only because he 'rode out' the punitive suspension of it, according to Linda Anderson of the state Attorney General's office.

Fernandes was one of two emergency responders who lost their employment with the town for their alleged involvement in the death of Linus Wendler.

Both emergency responders were arrested six days after the incident and were booked on charges of criminal neglect of a patient and exploiting older persons. No formal charges have been filed against either of them.

Carroll Meeks, the other EMT involved in the scene, appealed his suspension and had his license reinstated after a hearing.

Meeks and Fernandes were dispatched to Wendler's residence in November 2006 after the 64-year-old called and reported he was having breathing problems.

Upon approaching the trailer, the paramedics heard a gunshot.

Meeks testified at his appeal hearing he peeked through the screen door and saw that Wendler had apparently shot himself in the head and showed no signs of life.

Sheriff's office Det. David Boruchowitz -- then a deputy -- arrived on the scene and secured it, pronouncing Wendler dead.

According to Boruchowitz, Fernandes was already inside the trailer prior to the deputies' arrival.

At Meeks' hearing, Boruchowitz testified that he and Fernandes both saw Wendler's chest moving and "agonal respiration," one or two shallow breaths a minute.

Meeks was called into the trailer and confirmed there was a pulse, so approximately 18 minutes after Boruchowitz had pronounced Wendler dead, the deputy informed dispatch Wendler was showing signs of life.

Boruchowitz maintains the paramedics refused to administer aid to Wendler at this point, despite being ordered to do so several times. Both paramedics have denied the allegation. Wendler was ultimately transported to Desert View Regional Medical Center, where he died shortly upon arrival.

The state Health Department, found no evidence of this being true in Meeks' case at his appeal hearing.

According to Anderson, however, Fernandes did not file a timely appeal and his license reinstatement is simply the result of his suspension ending. She added that no hearing for Fernandes' involvement in the incident is pending.