MADD Volunteer awarded Red Cross Hero Award

Twelve recipients were named “Real Heroes” by the American Red Cross Friday evening.  You may remember some of these heroes, because they made local headlines.

In October of 2009, a tree trimmer was working on a palm tree in south Bakersfield, when he lost his footing and became trapped 50 feet up.  Bakersfield Fire Department Engineer Scott Smith hoisted the helpless man out of the tree, to safety, earning himself a real hero award. “It’s kind of cool to be nominated, and to be appreciated for what we do,” Smith said.

Then there’s local surgeon Dr. Vipul Dev, who stepped in to help Oildale resident Lee Lyle, and many others, for free.  Lyle lived with a piece of his skull in his stomach for more than a year after a motorcycle crash and initial surgery, because he couldn’t afford the second surgery.  Dev is our medical professional real hero. “The surgeries I do for free – they’re more reconstructive in nature. They’re people who have deformities in everyday life. They have lost function of a working body part,” Dev said.

Bakersfield police officers Isaac Aleman and Aaron Stringer responded to a 7-11 store in southwest Bakersfield in September. A suspect opened fire, hitting Aleman in the leg. The officers fired back, hitting the suspect and saving Aleman’s life. “I think that what I did is no more than any other officer would have done. I’m still grateful for it,” Aleman said.

And the list of heroic acts goes on.  Martin Barrios was named Outstanding Youth Role Model for saving three young children from a burning home. Lucian Whitman jumped in the Kern River to save the life of a stranger. “I think that God gives us all opportunities and it’s up to us to take them,” Whitman said.

Here is a complete list of winners:
Outstanding Adult Role Model – Carla Pearson
Outstanding Youth Role Model – Martin Barrios
Outstanding Volunteer Group – Wounded Heroes Fund
Educator – Lisa Kane
Military – Larry Ybanez
Fallen Heroes – The families of Major Jason E. George and Sgt. Josh Soto
Firefighter – Scott Smith
Law Enforcement – Ofc. Isaac Aleman and Ofc. Aaron Stringer
Heroic Act – Lucian Whitman
Medical Professional – Dr. Vipul Dev

Article Courtesy of KGET.com