The East Helena Police Department honored three officers with Lifesaving Awards at Tuesday’s City Council meeting.
Brothers Kyle and Zach Butler were recognized for using CPR and a defibrillator to resuscitate East Helena resident Jason Miller, a father of two who suffered a heart attack Oct. 19. Officer Zach Butler was awarded again alongside Deputy Chief Ed Royce for using CPR to revitalize a woman Nov. 21.
Police Chief Mike Sanders highlighted the rarity of such rescues: just 1 in 10 people who receive CPR outside a hospital survive to get treatment. For these officers to save two people’s lives in the span of about a month, he said, was remarkable. “It’s a testament to the quality of our officers,” said Sanders, “and the quality of the training that they receive.”
Also on Tuesday, Zach Butler was unanimously confirmed an East Helena Police Department Officer, following his customary one-year probationary period. “I guess we’d better affirm your appointment, you keep saving lives,” Mayor Kelly Harris joked.
Jason Miller, attending with his wife, Jennifer Miller, saw the officers who had saved him for the first time since the incident. He firmly shook the brothers’ hands, said a warm “thank you” to each before embracing both officers.
Some 9 of 10 people who experience cardiac arrest outside a hospital die, according to the Red Cross. This is mainly because the chances of survival decrease 10% every minute that CPR and defibrillation are not administered.
Literally every second counted for Miller and his family on that day in October. He attended the event to offer his thanks. “My wife just said, ‘you’ve got to be there,’” he said.
Zach Butler has known Miller for years through his work at Grizzly Security, an armored truck company that often worked with Miller’s ATM installing company. He never imagined saving the life of his friend.
“It’s gratifying and humbling,” Officer Zach Butler said as he watched Miller grinning and talking with the officers. “He got to spend Thanksgiving with his family. He’ll get to spend Christmas with his family and two daughters.”
The police often turn up during the worst moments in people’s lives, but the officers agreed that days like this one – and the heroism they celebrate – make the tougher times bearable. “An event like this is what keeps you coming back to work,” said Deputy Chief Royce.