Text Messaging Silence

I have a text messager ringtone for my samsung galaxy axiom. and have downloaded a handcent messager app between the regular messager system and the handcent i have always liked to use a ringtone for it so it last longer and i can hear if im not right by it when it starts. my problem comes when i am sitting right next to my phone and dont wanna hear the whole 30 sec ringtone there does not seem to be a way to just hit the side button to silence the tone....does anyone know how to change it


also this is my first smart phone so does anyone know a good app killer (i heard i should get one) or are there apps that run alot that i could turn off to save my battery life at all?