A UT-Arlington police officer is being hailed as a hero after he helped revive a referee who collapsed during a recent basketball game.
Hero is not a word Officer James Vernier would use to describe himself, however.
“That’s what we’re trained to do,” said Vernier. “When you see something in that kind of environment you just react.”
But many say his reaction during a UT-Arlington basketball game earlier this month was nothing short of heroic.
“Saving a life is probably the biggest difference you can make in someone’s life,” said UTA Police Chief Kim Lemaux. “So we’re very, very proud.”
On Jan. 10, Vernier was working security at the College Park Center for UTA’s game against Arkansas State.
During a timeout, he saw referee Steve Pyatt go to the ground.
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“I didn’t realize how serious it was at the time,” said Vernier.
Pyatt was having what his doctors would later describe as a “massive heart attack.” Vernier and UTA Athletic Trainer Roy Rudewick, who were both standing near the court, rushed over to him.
They sat him down near one of the baskets.
They said initially Pyatt was alert and was answering their questions. But then suddenly he collapsed.
“He lost consciousness and his face turned kind of a dark red,” said Rudewick.
At that point, Pyatt wasn’t breathing and Rudewick couldn’t detect a pulse. While Rudewick started preparing a defibrillator, Vernier jumped in and started performing CPR.
“I guess at that point you don’t really have a chance to think,” said Vernier. “You just respond.”
Shortly after Vernier began chest compressions, Pyatt regained consciousness.
“We were very relieved,” said Rudewick. “It was a very humbling experience.”
By that time, EMS crews had arrived on the court and they took Pyatt to the hospital.
Now back home in Tennessee, Pyatt told NBC 5 there’s a very good chance he wouldn’t be alive had it not been for the UTA training staff and Vernier. In an email, he wrote:
“Thanks to [Vernier’s] quick and effective response I am now at home and expecting a full recovery from an event that my doctor said I should not have survived. I am, of course, forever grateful to Officer Vernier for his life-saving effort and look forward to the day that I can return to Arlington and thank him in person!”
Vernier said he would like that.
“Hopefully I’ll be able to see him when he’s refereeing again down here for one of these games,” said Vernier.
UTA police have asked the University of Texas System to recognize Vernier’s efforts with a special lifesaving award. Lemaux said Rudewick and his team deserve a lot of credit and praise as well.
