Bakersfield's heroes honored
| Saturday, Mar 28 2009 12:35 AM
Last Updated Monday, Mar 30 2009 04:21 PM
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Adult role model: George Morse
Sheriff dupty Thomas Moore for Law Enforcement
Medical: Dr. Ravi Patel
Group role model: Preferred Family Care - Lorie Dickson, Dr. John Heidrick, Jaclyn Harrison, Vera Bowers, Dr. Raj Patel, Teri Reyes and Lori Beach.
Fire Fighter: Don Napier
Law Enforcement: Officer Dennis Eddy
Heroic Act: Ryan Cunningham
Educator: Dr. Jess Nieto
Emergency Services: Capt. Rob Custer
Youth Role Model: Drew Heredia
Cpl. Wesley Barrientos.
A quiet night in front of the TV was not in the cards for Ryan Cunningham.
The 32-year-old Bakersfield man was relaxing at home when he noticed smoke seeping into his second-floor apartment.
He raced downstairs and pounded on the door of the unit below his. Peering through the window he saw nothing but a thick blackness and an ominous orange glow.
“I opened the door and smoke started pouring out,” he remembered of the Dec. 29 fire. “It was so thick it was almost liquid.”
Then Cunningham heard a sound coming from inside the small apartment — the moaning of a woman trapped inside.
There was little time to think. No one, he knew, could survive in that smoke for very long.
Cunningham plunged into the maelstrom, crawling along the floor through the blinding smoke — until he felt the woman’s hand. “Then I stood up, took a breath and it almost overwhelmed me,” he said.
He ran outside, coughing and gasping for air. He called 911 on his cell phone, told emergency responders what was happening and informed them that he was going back into the apartment.
No one was there to tell him it was a crazy idea.
Once again he worked his way through the smoke. The woman, identified in news reports as Kelleye Chase, was still alive.
“I knew I was going to get her out no matter what,” Cunningham remembered thinking. And that’s what he did, risking his life to drag Chase out of the toxic cloud that paramedics and hospital staff said would have killed her otherwise.
When Cunningham’s sister Corrine Raub saw him later that night, covered in black soot and being treated for smoke inhalation at Kern Medical Center, she realized she wasn’t all that surprised by his actions. “That’s just who my brother is,” Raub said.
RED CROSS HONORS
Cunningham and several other Kern County residents were recognized Friday evening by the Kern chapter of the American Red Cross as Real Heroes for 2009. The names, chosen from more than 70 nominations, were announced at a reception held at the law offices of Young Wooldridge. They include firefighters and police officers, but also average individuals helping to make our community a better place, said Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Bakersfield, honorary chairman of the annual event. They act for no other reason, he said, than it’s the right thing to do.
Cunningham was honored in the “Heroic Act” category. Following are the other honorees in several categories:
Emergency Services:
As director of flight operations for the Bakersfield squadron of the all-volunteer Civil Air Patrol, Capt. Ron Custer trains private pilots to conduct search-and-rescue operations. In his nomination of Custer, Civil Air Patrol Maj. Scott Garrison said, “Many families have received information about loved ones because of the work of Rob Custer. I am honored to call Capt. Rob Custer my hero and friend.”
Military:
Serving his third tour of duty in Iraq, U.S. Army Cpl. Wesley Leon Barrientos was on patrol when a roadside bomb exploded Dec. 20, 2007. The Ridgeview High graduate became “a double amputee at 23,” McCarthy said. “A short two months later, he married his sweetheart, Marcela.” The couple are now the proud parents of a baby girl. Barrientos was not able to attend Friday’s event, but his mother accepted the honor in his place.
Firefighter:
Besides working as a Kern County Fire Captain, Don Napier has volunteered as a department chaplain since 1989. In addition to his normal duties, Napier responds to the needs of families following home fires and other emergencies. “Don has a great heart and has been an inspiration to many people in our department and in our community,” said co-worker Joe Appleton, who nominated Napier. “I’m not the hero here,” Napier said at Friday’s reception. God gets all the credit, he said.
Educator:
When Kern political activist, businessman and academic Jess Nieto founded the Chicano Latino Scholastic and Leadership Academy, he brought high school students together with college students and successful professionals to create mentor relationships. The most rewarding part, Nieto said, is seeing people succeed in higher education, people who “may not have the means, but have the desire.”
Medical: Some people say Bakersfield oncologist Ravi Patel is a quiet hero who has been known to write off the cost of treatment for uninsured patients. When employee Susie Bell’s family was affected by cancer, Patel was there as a friend and as a physician. “I know many patients feel the same as I and he would blush at the recognition,” Bell said in her nomination, “but I can hardly think of a more deserving man.” Patel said any credit due goes to the entire team at Comprehensive Blood & Cancer Center.
Youth Role Model:
Drew Heredia is proof that heroes come in all sizes. In December, when the 9-year-old Bakersfield boy saw a girl being viciously attacked by a pit bulldog, he placed the dog in a chokehold for several minutes until help arrived. The girl was treated fir severe puncture wounds, but she could have been killed had Drew not interceded.
Adult Role Model:
Maybe angels really do have to earn their wings. As a volunteer pilot with Angel Flights, George Morse provides free air travel for desperately ill patients flying to hospitals and treatment centers, making it financially possible for many to receive life-saving care. Making an average of four flights a month, Morse bears the entire cost of the flights.
Law Enforcement:
Sheriff’s Deputy Thomas Moore was the first officer to arrive at the McFarland crime scene Dec. 6. Moments before, a child in the house had called 911 to report that her father had shot her mom. Moore could have waited for backup, but because of the potential danger to the child, he chose to go in alone, said Sheriff Donny Youngblood, who nominated Moore. Deputy Moore suffered shotgun blast injuries to his face, hands, arms, neck and left eye after the man inside opened fire, officials said.
Law Enforcement:
Bakersfield Police Officer Dennis Eddy was nominated by Chief of Police Bill Rector for the actions he took and the personal sacrifice he endured in attempting to arrest a parolee suspected of associating with known gang members. During his pursuit of the suspect last year, Eddy was struck by gunfire in the chest and the leg. Eddy remained upright as long as possible, returning fire until he fell to ground. Despite losing part of his leg as a result, Officer Eddy has returned to duty after several months of painful surgeries and physical therapy. Rector called Eddy a role model.
Outstanding Group Role Model:
The 30 medical professionals and support staff at Preferred Family Care Physicians are busy all year trying to give something back. This year and last, they have volunteered time and resources at Buttonwillow Elementary School. In just one example, second-graders at the school were given new backpacks stuffed with supplies, allowing the students to start the school year with confidence. They also gave jackets to the students and helped finance a field trip to Pioneer Village. To show the community how proud they are of the students, the children’s artwork is displayed in their office.
