CAHOKIA HEIGHTS, Ill — During a city council meeting Wednesday, the Mayor of Cahokia Heights was re-united with the 7-year-old girl whose life he helped save during an asthma attack. A big crowd showed up to celebrate her.
"I don't want to get emotional myself," Mayor Curtis McCall said, holding little Kennedi Dukes in his arms.
It's the first time the two have met since the little girl needed help back in August.
"I know God had me at the right place at the right time," McCall said.
She was having an asthma attack. Her father showed up to City Hall in a panic. That's when Mayor McCall answered the door and performed CPR.
"He told me to calm down and pray... and soon as I prayed, she coughed and started coming back after seven minutes," Kennedi's father Jarnell Dukes said.
The community showed up in force to catch the emotional reunion.
"Because of his actions, the community is more aware of how we need to take CPR classes... It saves lives," said former Alorton Mayor JoAnn Reed.
At the city council meeting, McCall showered Kennedi with gifts, including her favorite doll, L.O.L. Surprise.
The 7-year-old's eyes lit up.
"Myself along with the city council, we chipped in and we're going to give the family enough money to make sure they have an inhaler in mom's car and also dad's car going forward," The mayor said before the crowd cheered with applause.
"He was more happy to honor her tonight than himself," Reed said.
Because to McCall, Kennedi is the shining star, a feeling cemented when he gave her an endearing kiss on the cheek.
"I'm happy to have her. She's still here with me," Kennedi's mother Sharell Hall said.
"Thank you mayor for saving my life," Kennedi Dukes said.
The mayor said he learned CPR from his career in law enforcement 30 years ago. He says he never had to use it, until now. He's working with city leaders to soon hold a free CPR course for the community.