Thirteen People Recognized for Saving Man’s Life After he Collapsed in July

(KNSI) – Thirteen people were recognized for saving a father’s life after he collapsed while dropping off his son at Little Saints Academy in St. Joseph this summer.

Little Saints Academy Owner Amy Bonfig told KNSI News they saw 28-year-old Luke Stangler go down, and that’s when her workers leaped into action. “The staff person called 911. [They] called out for other staff, and two of them began CPR and stayed on the phone with 911. The St. Joe police officers heard the call come out that it was next door, so they came rushing over.”

Officers attached a defibrillator and continued CPR until the rescue squad arrived. Bonfig credited the teamwork for leading to the best possible outcome. “That dad is alive today because of the literal heroics of our staff, the St. Joe Police Department, and they’re being recognized for it. And I think that that’s wonderful.”

As a result, Stangler was around to celebrate his boy’s first birthday, and the rest of his family was at the event to thank the first responders and Little Saints staff in person. Those honored in front of the St. Joseph City Council on Monday night included academy staffers members Desirae Walz and Taylor Markfort, St. Joseph Police Chief Dwight Pfannenstein and Officer Daniel Pfannenstein, St. Joseph Fire Department members Chief Jeff Taufen, Assistant Chief David Salzer, Captain Ken Jacobson, Captain Andrew Kremer, Firefighter Jack Richter, Firefighter Andrew Mooney, Paramedic Heather Usherwood, Paramedic Tyler Palm and EMT Ryan Welle.

The group will get a special recognition during the Greater St. Cloud Public Safety Foundation’s annual awards banquet on October 25th.

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