Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Thursday, Ken McIntosh, Pierceton, was recognized with a Carnegie Medal for what most people would call heroism.
McIntosh just calls it doing what's right.
Doing what was right meant risking his life to rescue a stranger from her burning home.
McIntosh didn't hesitate to go in a window when he saw Pamela Walls' house in flames and her car in the driveway.
"It was another person's life (at stake)," said McIntosh. "Someone was in trouble and needed help. One of God's children. I couldn't imagine not helping."
Along with the Carnegie Medal, McIntosh will be rewarded a $4,000 grant from the Carnegie Hero Fund as well.
The Carnegie Medal is given to people in the United States and Canada who risk their lives while trying to save the lives of others.
To date, 8,981 people have been honored with the award since its inception in 1904. The Carnegie Hero Fund was established by philanthropist Andrew Carnegie.
On Sep. 15, 2004, Ken McIntosh was in the right place at the right time. Around 3:30 p.m., he was driving to his hunting preserve when he saw flames and heavy smoke pouring from a home at 9577 E. CR 150S near Pierceton.
McIntosh and Bill Stump III called 911 to report the fire then stopped at the house.
The men saw a car in the driveway and thought someone might be in the burning house, so they broke windows to let some of the smoke out.
While breaking the windows, the men saw a woman, Pamela Walls, inside the home.
"Bill saw her feet before I did," McIntosh said. "He went to get a blanket (to cover the shards of glass remaining in the window), and I pulled the rubber and the glass came out of the window."
Then Stump helped McIntosh crawl headfirst through the window into the room where Walls was lying. Once inside, McIntosh crouched on the floor and crawled to avoid the dense smoke that filled the room.
"Flames were coming out of the walls," McIntosh said.
McIntosh managed to get the woman to the window where Stump, Matt Ridinger and Jeremy Hayes helped pull her out. Ridinger and Hayes were down the road at the hunting preserve and heard McIntosh and Stump yelling for help.
Once the men got Walls out of the house, McIntosh and Stump performed CPR on her until the Pierceton EMS arrived.
A few minutes later, firefighters from Pierceton, Larwill and North Webster arrived at the scene to extinguish the fire.
In the meantime, Walls was airlifted by Samaritan Air Ambulance to Parkview Hospital, Fort Wayne.
"She died in the helicopter," McIntosh said, who added that he did not know Walls was revived until later.
"They lost me twice," said Walls. "I'm a miracle."
"I was working about two months later at the preserve when my wife called and said 'someone wants to talk to you,'" said McIntosh.
When he arrived at his house, Walls was waiting to thank him with a "big hug."
"When I got out of the hospital, my son said I needed to meet Ken, and I wanted to," said Walls. "I went down to the lodge to meet him. At first he didn't know who I was. It was all I could do to keep from crying."
Although McIntosh is credited with saving her life, he calls Walls his "angel. ... She saved me. She paid the price to get my butt back into church. ...We have a special relationship."
McIntosh said he currently attends New Hope Grove Community Church just south of Pierceton.
"Ken is a wonderful person," said Walls. "People who know him know there is nothing he wouldn't do for anybody. He is just a terrific person."
When asked what she thinks of McIntosh winning the Carnegie Medal, Walls said, "I think it's great. It is very well deserved."
Reiff Seeks Tippecanoe Township Trustee Position
BY TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer
Thomas Reiff is a candidate for Tippecanoe Township trustee, running on the Republican ticket.
He will face GOP incumbent Alyssa Schmucker in the May 2 primary election.
A former North Webster town councilman, Reiff is a lifelong resident of North Webster and Tippecanoe Township. He graduated from North Webster High School in 1965.
"I recently retired from R.R. Donnelley, after 40 years of service. I now have the opportunity to devote more time and energy for my community and I've decided to seek the office of Tippecanoe Township Trustee," he said in a press release.
"I feel that since I've lived and been involved in the community my entire adult life, I am well-suited to represent the citizens of Tippecanoe Township. My first priority will be to maintain and enhance all the services and funds now provided by the trustee and advisory board."
Reiff is a member of the North Webster-Tippecanoe Township volunteer fire department, currently serving in his 38th year. He was a co-chairman on the fundraising committee to purchase the first emergency medical services ambulance in 1975. He is a former member of the North Webster Lions Club.
He and his wife, Terry (Larsen), owned and operated a business in North Webster for nine years. The Reiffs have been married 41 years. They have three sons, Todd, Travis and Troy.
The Reiffs are members of North Webster Church of God and live on Sechrist Lake.
