Canonsburg Cop, Business Owner and Parent Honored For Saving Teen's Life

Canonsburg Mayor David H. Rhome said that sometimes, it's too easy to take life for granted—to assume that tomorrow is a given.

But on Monday night, he told those who attended Monday's council meeting that just isn't the case.

Just look, he said, at teenager Jonathan Ayres.

Ayers in late May was helping out at a seminar at Kang’s Black Belt Academy when Rhome said he collapsed.

"At first people thought he was just fooling around, but he had actually gone into cardiac arrest," Rhome explained.

That's when the owner of the gym, Jeff Jox, and a parent in attendance, Lisa Takash, sprang into action, starting CPR on the young man.

Canonsburg police officer Jonathan Cornell responded to the scene and helped with life-saving efforts until a medical helicopter was able to transport Ayers to a Pittsburgh-area hospital, where he remained in a coma for several days.

"He was in God's hands and has almost made a full recovery," Rhome said of the teen, who was later diagnosed with a rare heart disease.

"Doctors say that has suffered a 'right bundle branch block' leading to cardiac arrhythmia, most likely caused by a cardiac defect he has had all of his life," a post on the Kang website indicated. "On Thursday May 30, Johnathan had heart surgery to install a device called an AICD to prevent any future arrhythmia and subsequent cardiac arrests."

Rhome presented citations to the trio, calling them hometown heroes.

Jox said he was taken aback when he arrived in council chambers.

He'd been told that Cornell was to be honored, but when he saw news vans near the borough and some members of the Canon-McMillan High School softball team, he assumed they were being recognized for winning the state title.

Told he was among those being honored, Jox—who has worked with Ayers and his father for years—was humbled.

"Our students are very much like family," he added. "We're working and helping (Ayers) make a recovery and get back on the mat."

Meanwhile, Kang's is hosting a Kick-a-Thon later this month to help raise money for Ayers. 

The event is slated to begin at 2 p.m. at Kang's, and will include kicking demonstrations and a raffle. Anyone wishing to donate money or an raffle item can find more information here.