A wasp sting turned into a life-threatening emergency for Marietta resident Garrett Rienhardt last summer, but thanks to the quick thinking of his daughter, Mackynzie Koenig, he's alive today to talk about it.

Garrett and Mackynzie will never forget Aug. 5, 2023.

Garrett had been on the back deck to spray a hive when a wasp stung his finger. "I got the stinger out, came inside, washed my hands and was like, 'Dang, that hurt,' but I didn't think much of it," he said. "I have been stung before without any problems. So I grabbed an ice pack and sat down in my recliner to ice my finger, and that's all I remember."

Mackynzie, a then-13-year-old about to start eighth grade in the Donegal School District, was nearby. "I just got my school schedule, so I was at the kitchen counter a couple feet away from my dad, reading it to see my new classes," she recalled. "My dad first dropped the ice pack, and then he wouldn't respond when I asked if he was OK. Then, he started gasping for air."

As the only other person home, Mackynzie jumped into action. "First thing I did was call my mom to tell her something was wrong and for her to come back," she said, noting that her mother, Karyn Koenig, was taking Mackynzie's oldest sister, Kylie, to get her driver's permit, and her other sister, Skylar, was at a friend's house. Kylie told Mackynzie to run across the street to get their neighbor Bill Perkins Jr.

"I knew he had basic police training and would be able to help," Mackynzie said.

Bill, who is a constable, was out in his yard when Mackynzie approached him to say her father had been stung and was having trouble breathing.

"We ran back to the house, and when I got there, I realized he was in full cardiac arrest," Bill said. "I asked Mackynzie to call 911, and I got Garrett out of the recliner he was sitting in, onto the floor, to start chest compressions."

Mackynzie called 911 and kept a cool head throughout the ordeal, something that impressed Bill.

"Everything I asked her to do, she did, no hesitation," he recalled. "She was incredibly composed and did such a great job with everything."

Mackynzie said she just did what came naturally, and she advises other people facing emergencies to do the same. "Keep calm, and let the people who know what they're doing do their job while keeping obstacles out of the way and helping wherever you can," she said.

Thankfully, Garrett survived, and while he has no memory of the incident, he is certain of one thing: His daughter's fast action saved his life.

"I'm grateful for her quick response in hearing the ice pack drop to the floor. I'm grateful she didn't have her earbuds in or headphones on. Otherwise, I probably wouldn't be alive," he said. "I barely remember the next day in the hospital. Bill said I was out cold with no pulse for I don't know however long."

State Rep. Tom Jones heard Garrett's story and invited Mackynzie to join him at a news conference in April to mark National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week.

"It's wonderful to have the opportunity to recognize heroes in our community," Jones said in remarks at the event. "The quick actions of young Mackynzie Koenig, the response of Constable Bill Perkins and the availability and great work of 911 operator Tyler Griffith all came together on Aug. 5, 2023, to save the life of Garrett Rienhardt."