Luke Airman honored for heroic life-saving efforts

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ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  The Altus Fraternal Order of Police honored two Airmen during a ceremony at the City Park May 22 for saving a local police officer from certain death. 

Special Agent Ross Bergstresser, Air Force Office of Special Investigations Detachment 422 at Luke Air Force Base, and Staff Sgt. Matthew Treadwell, 97th Security Forces Squadron Combat Arms NCO-in-charge, administered life-saving procedures after Kevin Walker, a Jackson County Sheriff's Office deputy, experienced a massive heart attack during a national police week shootout competition May 14. 

"The efforts and professionalism (Agent Bergstresser and Sergeant Treadwell) displayed saved Deputy Walker's life," said Sheriff Roger Lavick, from the Jackson County Sheriff's Office. 

Little did Deputy Walker know, the events that would transpire May 14 would change his life forever. 

"I went to the range, just signed up to be on a team and went over and did some loading to get my magazines ready to go," he said. "We were walking back over to the break area, and I don't really recall a whole lot after that. Next thing I know, I was kind of like waking up in an ambulance." 

Within moments of Deputy Walker hitting the floor, he was already surrounded by help. 

"Luckily, we had brought all of our combat lifesaver equipment with us," said Sergeant Treadwell. "Without even thinking I just grabbed (the equipment) and ran over there." 

With the necessary equipment on hand, Sergeant Treadwell and Agent Bergstresser were able to keep oxygen and blood flowing through Deputy Walker's body until emergency medical service arrived. 

"There were several heroes that day -- from the first 911 call to the hospital staff and surgery team -- in making this a great teamwork effort success story," said Agent Bergstresser. 

Sergeant Treadwell said he owes his efforts to the training he received in the Air Force. 

"I'm just glad I was there, and honestly I thank God that I got trained the way I did and was able to help him because everything happens for a reason," the sergeant said.
"I've been through multiple CPR classes, combat life saver courses, medic classes and things of that nature, but I wasn't even thinking of that," Sergeant Treadwell said, who completed the Army Combat Lifesaver course three weeks prior to the event. "It was all muscle-memory -- 100 percent of it." 

Sergeant Treadwell and Agent Bergstresser received the Life Saver Award for their heroic actions. 

"Plaques and trophies are nice, but my award is (Deputy Walker) walking around, being able to shake my hand and just being able to meet him and talk to him -- that's my award," Sergeant Treadwell said. 

Agent Bergstresser said he was surprised to see Deputy Walker back on his feet only a week after having surgery. 

"It's just a miracle," he said. 

Deputy Walker may be fuzzy on the details, but has a special place in his heart for his heroes. 

"I'm so happy to be here and be able to congratulate these guys on what they've done," he said. "To be here personally and to meet the people who saved my life -- it's overwhelming." 

Courtesy of af.mil