MEDINA COUNTY, Texas - A man who survived a sudden cardiac arrest last summer reunited Wednesday with the bystanders and emergency responders credited with saving his life during a special gathering at Medina County Fire/EMS Station 10.

The reunion honored Mr. Guerra, who collapsed July 30, 2025, shortly after finishing a workout with his wife at Fitwell on FM 471. According to Medina County Fire/EMS, Guerra became unresponsive inside his vehicle when his heart stopped, prompting his wife to call 911 and seek help.

Ray Johnson and Craig Taylor rushed from inside the gym to assist. The two men removed Guerra from the vehicle and immediately began CPR before emergency crews arrived.

Division Chief and Paramedic Tallon Reddout was the first responder on scene and continued chest compressions following an initial assessment. Medic and Ladder 10 crews arrived within five minutes of dispatch and identified a shockable heart rhythm, delivering an electrical shock. After a second shock failed to restore circulation, Reddout consulted Medical Director Dr. Wentling about transporting Guerra for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, or ECMO, treatment at Main Methodist Hospital.

ECMO functions as a heart bypass machine, allowing physicians time to treat the underlying cardiac condition while maintaining circulation. Guerra was transported to the emergency room with CPR ongoing and was later placed on ECMO.

After extensive treatment and rehabilitation, Guerra was released from the hospital without neurological deficits, an outcome officials say occurs in fewer than 10 percent of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest cases.

During Wednesday’s visit, Guerra and his family met the individuals involved in the rescue. His son told attendees that hospital staff repeatedly emphasized that early CPR by bystanders and the decision by responders to pursue ECMO treatment gave his father a chance to survive.

Fire Chief Cooke presented Johnson and Taylor with Lifesaver Awards recognizing their actions before first responders arrived. Guerra was also presented a commemorative plaque listing each crew member involved in the rescue.

Bystander CPR was performed by Ray Johnson and Craig Taylor.

Responders recognized included Division Chief Paramedic Tallon Reddout, Battalion Chief Paramedic James Pierce, Firefighter Paramedic Steve Lavoie, Firefighter Paramedic Marisabel Moreno, Firefighter Paramedic Lawrence Rodriguez, and Firefighter EMT Christopher Rios.

Medina County Fire/EMS officials said the outcome highlights the importance of immediate bystander intervention and coordinated emergency response in cardiac arrest survival.