The Bunnell City Commission Monday evening awarded its Outstanding Citizen Award to two young city residents, Russell Rouson, 10, and Steven Dozier, 12, for alerting police and helping to save the life of an 88-year-old woman who had hurt herself in her home in June.
“I’m extremely proud of you Russell, and Steven too,” Bunnell Police Chief Tom Foster told Rouson, who was awarded a certificate and a medal at a commission meeting. Dozier couldn’t make it.
Norma Ward is an 88-year-old resident of North Pine Street in Bunnell. She’d been ailing. She lives alone. On June 17, she fell in her house, hurt herself, and bled. She couldn’t get back up. She needed help. So she started dragging herself through the house, out the door and into the yard, trying to crawl her way to a neighbor’s house to get help.
She couldn’t make it. She later told police that she’d been in her yard half an hour, calling for help.
Rouson and Dozier happened to be on their bicycles in the neighborhood: Dozier lives on South Anderson Street. Rouson lives a few doors down from Ward on South Pine Street. He’s well known around the neighborhood and in his church for being conscientious: his intelligence has caught the attention of his pastor, who spoke of his certain bright future to a reporter at a recent solidarity march in Bunnell, in which Rouson took part—on his bike.
At 3 p.m. that Friday afternoon, the two boys heard Ward’s calls for help. They went to her, tried to help her up but couldn’t, and called 911 on their cell phones, then stayed with Ward until a Bunnell police officer arrived. They waved him down as he drove up.
“It’s my opinion,” the officer wrote in his report, “that the help and quick thinking of Russell and Steven helped avert a tragic incident.”
The two boys, Foster said, have “distinguished themselves by performing an act of kindness for a person in crisis, wherein their service aided in the preservation of a human life. Both young men are well deserving of the Outstanding Citizen Award.”
Rouson, a student at Imagine School at Town Center, had dressed up in a suit complete with a boutonniere for the occasion—“dressed like he was appearing before the supreme court and proud,” in thre words of Flagler County Commission Chairman Barbara Revels, who happened to be in the audience as she was there to address the commission on a separate matter.
“Well deserved,” city commissioners told Rouson of his award.
“Remember this day, this is the beginning of a long life of taking care and helping others,” Mayor Catherine Robinson said.
Denise Calderwood says
Way to go it is nice to read about young people who do the right thing and help out their neighbor. Someone from the Sheriff’s department should recruit these two young men into the Police Explorer program.
Jon Hardison says
:-) How great is that? Just lovely. Congrats to them both and best wishes to Norma Ward in her recovery.
Heather says
Thank you Flagler Live. Young men like this are on every street in every neighborhood in every city in every state in every country. Spotlighting them only leads to even more like them.
Well done Russell and Steven. The world is counting on you and, as you can clearly see, the world needs you.
Anita Moeder says
Wonderful boys, gives me hope when i hear stories like this! Kudos to them and their families who raised them right! I hope Mrs.Ward will be well soon.
Fredrick says
Two fine young men. Assets to the entire community.
Kendall says
Russell and Steven you are rock stars!!!!!
palmcoaster says
Hooray for those two young men!!
May safe and happy cycling trails take them to a promising future.
Wishful thinking says
Heartwarming . These boys are precious. Their parents also
HonkeyDude says
Way to go guys! Hopefully you inspired/reminded/taught the adults who read this something. It is so nice to read about a good deed, and even nicer that it was noticed.
Geezer says
Adults can learn from these children. They are superstars!
Steve Clair says
Great to hear some positive uplifting inspiration from these fine young men.
May they be an example to other youth of our great nation.
Glad to see them recognized for their efforts, Great Job guys!!
L.D.Ablo says
Sometimes you learn more from your children than you did from your parents. Good job young men!
Outsider says
Great job!
Oldseadog says
Heartwarming and Bravo Zulu (Well Done) to these two youngsters!
Anonymous says
These are the stories the media should be focusing on!!!!
Born and Raised Here says
Finally some good news about our local black kids
Bc. says
Born n raised Why does race have to be brought into this, these 2 fine young boys did the rite thing race had nothing to do with it people need to stop separating us that was a stupid post in my opinion would it have mattered if the boys were Indian enough with the black and white stuff we are all the same
Sherry says
Excellent job boys! You have set a fine example, and your parents and loved ones should be very proud.
I personally would love to hear some words of praise from the usual crowd that typically spews hate filled words towards our African American neighbors. Where are you? We are waiting.
Oh WOW says
Good job young men. Keep up the good work.
Anita says
These young gentlemen have demonstrated lessons in civility and humanity in Flagler County and are both a credit to their parents. I hope they will continue to maintain their innate kindness, integrity and friendship throughout their lives.
Born and Raised Here says
Bc. No race intended. Just a casual comment from my Southern upbringing. That’s the way we describe folks here In the South.
Sherry says
NO. . . that is NOT the way “we describe folks here in the South”! I personally apologize for “Born and Raised Here” to all our wonderful neighbors of every skin color. It’s so heart breaking and sad that such prejudice exists!
I also was “born and raised” here in Florida, and my ancestors “illegally immigrated” here from England and Germany in the 1600s. I’m very embarrassed to say they were Southern plantation owners, and even owned slaves. BUT, I have evolved and educated myself . It’s way past time that we all evolve and start not only loving ALL our brothers and sisters, but started respecting them as well! It is no longer the 40s and 50s, and We Are All Create Equal!
LLS says
Great job by these two young men!
Russell Rouson says
Ty guys for the comments Ik it’s been years but I read everyone’s comments appreciate it