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It was a trip to the airport Gary Fricke will never forget, and he wasn't even going anywhere.

The Melbourne supervisor of public works and a volunteer firefighter had arrived at the Des Moines International Airport to pick up his son and daughter-in-law, who were returning from an overseas trip.

As they were making their way to the baggage claim, he noticed a man lying on the floor of the airport near one of the car rental counters. He went over and assisted the man, who turned out to be Retired U.S. Air Force Colonel Dennis Ridnouer, who lives in North Carolina.

"He tried to speak and went back out and quit breathing," Fricke said. "I called for help and I checked his carotid."

Des Moines police officers Jaime Vanderwert, Vic Gamboa, and Eric Wilson arrived on the scene with a defibrillator, according to Deb Mercer, an employee with the city of Melbourne.

"We feel he should be honored," she said.

The defibrillator was activated and it worked. Ridnouer eventually regained consciousness and was transported by ambulance to a Des Moines hospital. Fricke did not really have a chance to think about what he was doing.

"I just kind of was like 'Hey, I've got to do something.' I can't just stand around while this guy lays here and is not breathing'" he said. "The training just kind of kicked in."

Still, even though Fricke was a trained first responder, he knew the chances of the man surviving were slim.

"I thought 'Oh boy,' your chances of saving someone - I have been a first responder for 19 years and you very seldom save a guy," he said. "When I saw they had a defibrillator, there was a lot better chance."

Fricke said the scene was quite stressful, especially for Ridnouer's wife, who had left him at the counter to take care of some luggage. When she turned the corner and saw him on the floor, "she kind of lost it but calmed down and was able to give them information about his medical history."

Ridnouer had a pacemaker put in and is alive today. He returned to Des Moines this week to honor Fricke and the police officers who saved his life.

"When they were told there was going to be an award celebration, they wanted to be a part of it," Fricke said.

The Des Moines Fire Department presented Fricke with an award in front of the Des Moines City Council.

Ridnouer donated some money to the city of Des Moines so that they can buy another defibrillator or two and put them in other locations around town.

"It was a team effort on everyone's part," Fricke said. "I'm just glad I was able to help."

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Contact Ken Black at 641-753-6611 or kblack@timesrepublican.com