Perkins Dad Comes To The Rescue, Saves Pirates' Grandfather At Briar Game

The Pirate family remains intact thanks to a parent's lifesaving move at a Briar Middle School boys' basketball game. 

Josiah “Si” Judy, who previously coached youth basketball and father to three Pirates, was at the Briar boys basketball game at Bellevue on Saturday, January 31. At the conclusion of the overtime game between the 7th-grade teams and before the 8th-grade game, Mr. Judy heard a commotion in the Perkins stands and saw a man slumped over.

Mr. Judy, who is a LifeFlight nurse, jumped into action. He went to the man, who is a grandfather to Perkins students. The man at first had a pulse, but it faded, Mr. Judy said. Mr. Judy utilized the school's automated external defibrillator and then applied chest compressions on the man until an ambulance arrived and transported him to the hospital.

Mr. Judy was not alone in assisting the heart attack victim. Several people assisted, according to witnesses. Among them was Justin Sanchez, the stepfather Briar 7th-grader. 

On Wednesday, February 11, the Perkins Board of Education recognized Mr. Judy for his actions. Mr. Judy is the father of Elijah, grade 9, Gunner, grade 8, and Raegan, grade 6. His wife, Alison, is a member of the Board of Education.

Mr. Judy resisted the notion that he is a hero. 

“It’s just what I hope anyone would do for someone in need,” Mr. Judy said. 
“We had a good outcome; that’s not normal. I’m just thankful for the miracle that he came back.” 

The odds of surviving a heart attack away from a hospital are not good, Mr. Judy said.  

In addition to serving as a nurse aboard LifeFight, Mr. Judy also teaches cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and he recommends everyone get trained in it and be prepared if and when the situation arises.