Air Force training helps Little Rock Airman rescue former troop

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Harry Brexel
  • 19th Airlift Wing Public Affairs


 Maj. Christopher Button, a 19th Medical Operations Squadron mental health psychologist, stands with Raul Ochoa Jr., and Linda Valley in October 2014. Valley and Button aided in rescuing Ochoa after he passed out from a heart attack in their Jacksonville, Ark., neighborhood. (Courtesy photo)

Maj. Christopher Button, a 19th Medical Operations Squadron mental health psychologist, stands with Raul Ochoa Jr., and Linda Valley in October 2014. Valley and Button aided in rescuing Ochoa after he passed out from a heart attack in their Jacksonville, Ark., neighborhood. (Courtesy photo)
On the morning of Sept. 8, 2014, the lives of several Airmen were transformed, in an extraordinary way.

The day started off pretty typical for Maj. Christopher Button, a Medical Operations Squadron mental health psychologist. He woke up just before 6 a.m. and decided to go for a jog around his neighborhood.

"I planned to be out of town that week, but the trip was cancelled last minute, just a week prior," said Button. "So it was going to be an ordinary work week for me."

Button previously had surgery on his knee, and it was sometimes painful for him to run. On that particular Monday, Button's knee was bothersome.

"When I left the house, I decided not to take my usual route," said Button. "I took a right instead because it was mostly downhill and easier on my knee."

While jogging, Button passed one of his neighbors Linda Valley, walking her dog. He waved to Linda and continued running. Button eventually reached an intersection and chose to take an uphill route, as his knee was feeling better.

It seemed like a small decision, but it ended up having tremendous consequences.

"As I continued running, I saw Linda running out of the corner of my eye," Button said. "I had headphones in and couldn't hear her at first, but she was clearly frantic and ran toward me saying that a man had collapsed."

Button followed Mrs. Valley to a house where a man was lying unconscious on a driveway in front of a garage door.

"I tried to quickly assess the situation," said Button. "The man was young and looked fit, so I didn't suspect a heart attack or anything like that. He was breathing, so my initial guess was that it may have been narcolepsy."

Button quickly recalled his training in self-aid buddy care and CPR.

"My mind was racing but I knew that I had to do something," said Button. "I tried to wake him up, but nothing worked. Though he was breathing loudly, I checked for a pulse several times and felt nothing."

Button told Valley to hold the man's head straight, in case of a spinal injury.

"After Linda called 911, I performed CPR as we waited for help to arrive," said Button. "It felt like an eternity, but I was told it took only nine minutes for the Jacksonville Fire Department to arrive."

When the paramedics arrived, they continued performing CPR and took the man to the hospital.

"After they took him, I told Linda that I honestly didn't think he would make it," said Button.

Luckily, Button was wrong. The 35-year-old man had survived, after suffering a heart attack.

If Valley and Button hadn't acted so quickly, the man, Raul Ochoa Jr., would likely have not survived.

"I was so glad when I heard that he survived," said Button. "I'm spiritual, and I think God puts people in the right place at the right time."

Valley was also shocked at how the events played out.

"Chris (Maj. Button) never ran that route," she said. "I'm not the one you want in an emergency, so it was a miracle that he was there to give CPR to Mr. Ochoa."

Surprisingly, Ochoa is a former Air Force officer who was medically separated. Ochoa's wife is also an Air Force major, and is currently stationed at Little Rock Air Force Base.

"The similarities between us really made an impact on me," said Button. "We both served as majors in the Air Force and have two children."

Six weeks after the incident, Button and Valley visited Ochoa in rehabilitation.

"He was still struggling to speak," said Button. "But I'll never forget how he looked at me and discernibly said 'Thank you.'"

Ochoa is now in San Antonio undergoing recovery. Button continues to get updates on him from the Ochoa family.

"I think of him every time I pass his house when walking my dog now," said Valley.

Maj. Button and Valley have been nominated for the Jacksonville Fire Department Citizen's Certificate of Merit. The two say they appreciate each day a little more now.

"The whole experience taught me several things," said Button. "I now know the importance of training, the value of family and the significance that spirituality holds in my life."