Fire Lieutenant Matt LeTourneau remembered as a hero

SPRINGFIELD, Pa.(WTXF) - Stories are pouring in about Lt Matt LeTourneau. Stories that describe how brave and selfless he was throughout his life.

One woman spoke to FOX 29 about the moment he saved her life 20 years ago.

"It's sad and the first thing I thought about was what he did 22 years ago," said Bill Marcone, a man whose family was touched by LeTourneau.

As Marcone and his family spend a Sunday together, he believes in his heart that his sister, Jessica, wouldn't be here today, had it not been for Lt. Matt LeTourneau.

Jessica, now 27, was just six years old at the time, eating a piece of chocolate in the family dining room, when suddenly, she explained. "I fell backwards in the chair, my face was blue."

"When she started choking, I just remember seeing her go blue. And, I was terrified. I remember a lot of panic, and my mom calling 911," said sister Jeralyn Marcone.

Bill ran outside, waiting for the ambulance. He heard it, but it took a wrong turn, and wasn't there. Precious time was passing and his little sister wasn't breathing.

"And, then, all of a sudden, coming down Colonial Park Drive, I see a car come in, right into the driveway, someone jumps out of the car and runs in the house," Bill said.

It was Matt LeTourneau. He lived just a few blocks away.

"He had heard the call come over the radio so he recognized our address and he took it upon himself to come in and help out before the ambulance could actually get there," Jessica said.

What he did, exactly, no one remembers. But, Jessica was having a seizure and choking. And, they're certain that Matt saved her life.

"He came in, revived her, and till this day, everything's been great. It just shows you what kind of person he was from back then," Bill explained.

"He's obviously an amazing person and he clearly enjoyed helping others. He helped me. He helped me to be here to say thank you," said Jessica.

"One of a kind. I mean, that's a true hero, right there," said Bill.