Heroes

Scott Neal, October 17, 2012 | Posted in Scott Neal

For those of you that read my blog, you have surmised by now that I am not a photographer.  Well, after reading today’s post, you will surmise that I am not a reporter either.  This is a great story that has waited 15 days too long to be told.

On October 2, a 96 year old man was fishing at Centennial Lakes Park when he lost his balance and fell into the lake.  After hearing cries for help, Centennial Lakes Park Manager Tom Shirley (the guy in the white shirt in the photo) and Park Maintenance Supervisor Doug May (the guy in the black shirt) jumped into the lake and saved the man from drowning.

Tom and Doug brought the man to the shore where he was treated and released by Edina Fire Department paramedics.  The man survived.

At last night’s City Council meeting, Tom and Doug were recognizied by the City Council when they received the Certificate of Merit from the Fire Department – the highest award given to civilians for herioc actions.  That’s Fire Chief Marty Scheerer in the photo presenting the awards to Tom and Doug.

A man is alive today because Tom and Doug did what needed to be done at the time it needed to be done, which was the definition used by Chief Scheerer to describe a hero.  I am proud to call them my coworkers.