Life Savers
Ursula Hennessey ·
Feb 5, 2011 at 8:30am
We could talk forever about how unaware people become while trying to drive or walk while using technology.
In this video, a 10-year-old boy falls onto the subway tracks while playing a hand-held video game.
But what strikes me most about this video is the immediacy of the hero's action. Yes, he's a police officer (off duty). But would we all act so quickly?
I wonder, are these kinds of heroic, calm, and quick-thinking individuals drawn to service jobs? Or is it because they are trained in service jobs that they behave so? Probably a combination of both.
Regardless, I'm sure I speak for the boy's mother -- and all of us -- when I say thank you to Alessandro Micalizzi.
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Jan '11
Re: Life Savers
I've been told that being a cop isn't just a job. It's a way of life. The proof is in the pudding.
Jun '10
Re: Life Savers
I think those types are drawn to the job. Two of my uncles were cops -- one fought in the Battle of the Bulge, came home with a chest full of medals & became a police captain. He looked like John Wayne & was a real go-to guy in a pinch. He went back to school at night to get a masters degree in criminal justice. R.I.P. The other is my godfather, a merchant marine & a NJ state trooper who was decorated many times, including commendation from the governor for an off-duty run into a burning building to rescue those inside. He's still going strong. Both big, strapping guys with very calm dispositions. That comes in handy for peace officers!
Would I jump into the subway tracks for a stranger? I like to think I would. But until tested like that, I can't say for sure. It may be irrational, but I think I'd be more scared of the rats than anything.....
Jul '10
Re: Life Savers
Dunno. Gravity was trying to tidy up the gene pool and some guy has to spoil everything.
Dec '10
Re: Life Savers
Ice fishing is effective in colder clime for weeding out the dumb ones. Falling through thin ice and drowning is very effective.
Lack of ice fishing goes a long way toward explaining southern California.
Oct '10
Re: Life Savers
Inclined to think some people just have an inherent disposition for actions as this.
There are individual acts of heroism and those that seem to run in family groups.
What is more disturbing is that the general population enmass will just stand by and watch gruesome and horrible events unfold before their eyes.
Perhaps there is a macabe fascination watching the gene pool clean itself..
May '10
Re: Life Savers
I think it's a combination of both traits - ingrained and trained. I've spent a lot of time around law enforcement and firefighter types over the past 20+ years. The law enforcement types tend to get into the job because of the love for law and order (well, the California retirement plan has a lot to do with it, also). However, as they enter their training and get exposed to real life, not the glossed over civilized version most of us experience, their impulse to protect the vulnerable or victimized is stronger than ever. There's also a heightened sense of danger in the little things. Once you've been in law enforcement and become aware of dangerous people and situations, the guard never really gets let down.
Sorry, I can't find any humor in the concept of "cleaning up the gene pool" by watching little children potentially get run over by trains. If that were true, than none of us humans should have survived to adulthood since we've all got hinky genes.
Dec '10
Re: Life Savers
The officer looked like he was doing what police officers do. He calmly lowered himself to the track, picked up the kid and climbed back up. (One wonders why no one stopped the kid when he got onto the warning strip at the edge of the platform.)
Had he done it with the headlights of a train bearing down on him, that would have been beyond exceptional.
Of course, some folks have different motives for heroic deeds.
May '10
Re: Life Savers
Ursula Hennessey
As Dave Grossman wrote in his famous essay, On Sheep, Sheepdogs, and Wolves, it is partly innate personality but it is also upbringing and training.
Re: Life Savers
Stuart Creque:
Had he done it with the headlights of a train bearing down on him, that would have been beyond exceptional.
Well, according to the story, the officer knew his train was due in less than a minute! So I think he did it under serious pressure, actually.
Re: Life Savers
FeliciaB: I think it's a combination of both traits - ingrained and trained. I've spent a lot of time around law enforcement and firefighter types over the past 20+ years. The law enforcement types tend to get into the job because of the love for law and order (well, the California retirement plan has a lot to do with it, also). However, as they enter their training and get exposed to real life, not the glossed over civilized version most of us experience, their impulse to protect the vulnerable or victimized is stronger than ever. (1) There's also a heightened sense of danger in the little things. Once you've been in law enforcement and become aware of dangerous people and situations, the guard never really gets let down.
(2) Sorry, I can't find any humor in the concept of "cleaning up the gene pool" by watching little children potentially get run over by trains. If that were true, than none of us humans should have survived to adulthood since we've all got hinky genes. · Feb 5 at 10:54am
1. Great point.
2. Thanks, Felicia.
Oct '10
Re: Life Savers
Before the collapsed I35 bridge had settled into the muddy waters of the Mississippi River Gorge, civilians were climbing onto the rubble to assist injured survivors ashore. It was the young barefoot medical student who swam into the murky waters upstream of the collapsed bridge to rescue an unconscious driver. The young man then returned to the rubble in search of a knife with which to cut the driver’s frozen seatbelt. Back into the water he went with his ankle bleeding heavily from a tear caused by some unseen obstacle beneath the water. He cut the seatbelt, extracted the driver and pulled the driver back to the rubble where other civilians carried the driver ashore. The student then left, seeking medical assistance for himself.
From combat to hurricanes, people willing place themselves in great danger to assist those who are injured, trapped or disabled.
May '10
Re: Life Savers
Wow, wow, WOW!
Re: Life Savers
Inspirational. Another individual American dong what needs doing, without any fuss or direction from a higher authority. Fitting that the story coincides with Ronald Reagan's centennial.
Jul '10
Re: Life Savers
FeliciaB:
Sorry, I can't find any humor in the concept of "cleaning up the gene pool" by watching little children potentially get run over by trains. If that were true, than none of us humans should have survived to adulthood since we've all got hinky genes. · Feb 5 at 10:54am
Well, if the kid had actually been run over, I would have restrained my puckish impulse.
Dec '10
Re: Life Savers
FeliciaB
Wow, wow, WOW! · Feb 5 at 11:37am
That he did that with his two little girls watching is one of the most remarkable parts of the story.
Jul '10
Re: Life Savers
Stuart Creque:
Had he done it with the headlights of a train bearing down on him, that would have been beyond exceptional.
Darn you, Stuart. My keyboard is all wet.
May '10
Re: Life Savers
Courage and quick-thinking. Those traits don't always go together. Some people are made for slow, deliberate thought and others for quick decisions and action. Notice how someone's immediately there to help the man raise the boy up.
I think it's an experience we're all familiar with. We see someone on the verge of a big mistake and we assume the person sees the problem but just hasn't reacted yet.
It's like riding in a car with someone and hesitating to point out a fast-braking car ahead. Everyone hates a backseat driver... let alone some stranger suddenly grabbing you at the subway.
May '10
Re: Life Savers
There's no doubt in my mind I would have jumped in and grabbed that child. Not even a question. I have to believe people are kidding when they say they're not sure.
Jul '10
Re: Life Savers
While we're at it, let us not forget Judge John Roll, who died while shielding a total stranger from the bullets of Jared Loughner.
May '10
Re: Life Savers
Why is it heroic to grab a child from railroad tracks? It's being protective.