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AWARD: Tinker civilian lauded for valor
Blackanthem
Military News, TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla., February 01, 2006 14:15
Rescues young girl from burning car
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Grabbing a fire extinguisher in his work truck, Johnny Pickett helped
a mother whose car caught fire with her child inside. The Tinker
employee was decorated for his life-saving actions. (Air Force photo
by Margo Wright) |
A Tinker Air Force Base
civilian was lauded for his heroism Jan. 9 during a 72nd Mission Support
Group commander's call.
Johnnie Pickett, a materials examiner and identifier with the 72nd
Services Division's Recycling Department, was presented with the U.S. Air
Force Command Civilian Award for Valor after rescuing a 3-year-old girl
from a burning car last summer.
The ceremony marked the first time the civilian award, equivalent to the
military Airman's Medal, has been presented at Tinker.
"It was a very nice presentation," Mr. Pickett said. "I was very surprised
because I was just doing what I thought was right at the time."
Last August, Mr. Pickett was delivering a load of metal near Oklahoma City
when the incident occurred.
Jennifer Wagner was with her 3-year-old daughter at a fueling station when
something caused a spark and set the car ablaze.
"All I could do was panic and scream for help," Ms. Wagner recalled. "I
kept trying to get my daughter out of the car, but the fire was too hot
and I couldn't get close enough."
About that time, Ms. Wagner said she noticed a man at the stop light
sitting in a truck and started yelling for him.
"When he noticed me, he quickly jumped out of his truck in the middle of
the intersection and ran over to help me with a fire extinguisher in
hand," she said. "As the man got to my car, he noticed my daughter inside
and risked his life getting her out."
Once the little girl was safe outside, Mr. Pickett told Ms. Wagner to take
her daughter and get as far away from the burning car as possible.
"It was then he grabbed the fire extinguisher and sprayed the fire until
it was out," Ms. Wagner said. "Once everyone had calmed down, I walked
over to the man and gave him the biggest hug and asked him his name.
"Still shaking, I told Johnnie how thankful I was, but I don't think he
really understands how thankful I am. I really think he saved my
daughter's life."
Mr. Pickett said he doesn't consider himself a hero and merely did what
anyone else in that situation would have done.
"She just needed help, so I helped her," he said.
By Darren D. Heusel
72nd Air Base Wing Public Affairs
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