HARTFORD, Conn. _ A Waterbury teen is being hailed as a hero after saving a mother and her three young children from a burning car on Wednesday afternoon.
Justin Gavin was walking down West Main Street and minding his own business when the 18-year-old saw a car on fire rolling to a stop at Sperry Street, Capt. Michael Dasilva said.
"Without concern for his own safety, Justin ran over to the burning car and opened the door to allow the woman to escape," Dasilva said in a video commemorating the heroics. "Justin then noticed three children were in the car. As the flames grew larger, Justin pulled all three of the kids from the car, including a one year old baby in a car seat."
Everyone was able to get away from the car safely as flames consumed the vehicle, narrowly avoiding a tragic ending for the young family, police officials said.
Officers who saw the aftermath of Gavin's efforts alerted Chief Fernando Spagnolo, who invited the teen to his office later Wednesday afternoon to celebrate his actions.
In front of Gavin's girlfriend and some of the department's command staff, Spagnolo gave Gavin a so-called "challenge coin," a special collectible that the chief usually issues to his own officers after an act of heroism but wanted to share with Gavin for his actions.
"One of the things I do to recognize people's heroic feats or excellent work, I provide them with what's called a challenge coin," Spagnolo told Gavin. "It's just to acknowledge this heroic act that you conducted today, and just a token of my appreciation for you being a great member of this community.
The pair shook hands, Gavin with an enormous grin across his face in front of the chief's desk.
"I hope that when you have that coin, it just reminds you of this day and you can reflect back on all the good that came out of this for you and the family you saved," Spagnolo said. "Any time you can always look at that time and reflect back on this great moment in your life."
"I definitely will, thank you," Gavin said with a laugh.
