Washington City honors residents and first responders who saved man after cardiac arrest at church basketball game

Washington City Council on Feb. 12 recognized a group of residents and city firefighters who performed life-saving CPR after local resident Cameron Wilford suffered a sudden cardiac arrest during a Jan. 16 church basketball game at the Stake Center on Washington Fields Road.

The recognition came during the council's regular meeting, when Mayor Crest Staley read a proclamation marking February as Heart Health Awareness Month and recounted the Jan. 16 incident. Battalion Chief Moore, representing Washington City Fire/EMS, spoke about the role of bystander CPR and local response times.

"But being trained in CPR is, like you were saying, two to three times more of a chance of survival," Battalion Chief Moore said, summarizing national and local survival statistics and urging CPR training.

According to the mayor's remarks, Wilford collapsed on the court from a severe heart event often called the "widowmaker," which can occur when the left anterior descending artery is blocked. Bystanders called 911, gave a priesthood blessing and began CPR before paramedics arrived. Wilford was taken to the hospital; doctors placed a stent to restore blood flow and discharged him after two nights of monitoring.

Wilford, who addressed the council with his family present, said he has little memory of the incident and expressed gratitude to those who intervened. "From the bottom of my heart, which is beating today because of you, I thank you," Wilford said.

Council members and the mayor presented certificates to the civilians the city identified as having administered life-saving care: Braden Canole, David Gurch, Courtney Christiansen and Jeff Monson. The mayor also noted that Trevor Calfe assisted but was unable to attend. Firefighters Snyder and Armsworth were recognized as the first responders on scene; Captain Proctor led the crew but was not present.

Chief Moore told the council that Washington City recorded 22 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests in the previous year and that the city’s survival rate for those events was approximately 23 percent, emphasizing that early bystander CPR and rapid EMS response are critical to good outcomes.

The council paused its agenda items to allow photographs and brief remarks; no formal action or vote was required to present the recognition.

The mayor closed the item by thanking the rescuers and noting the event as an example of community members and public safety personnel working together to preserve life.