Meet Our 2009 Red Cross Real Heroes Award Recipients
Their extraordinary stories inspired so many people, and now you can read about them too! From the firefighter who rescued victims from a burning car, to an 11-year old girl, graduate of the Red Cross Babysitter's Boot Camp, who saved the life of her mother when she went into cardiac arrest. Their actions exemplified what it means to help your community and give hope when there is none!

Edna Rodriguez, Ruidoso
(Lincoln County)

Disaster Relief:   Bank of America

The city of Ruidoso experienced severe flooding in July 2008.  Ms. Rodriguez went to check on a friend at a mobile home park and saw the damage the water had caused the homes in the park. Ms. Rodriguez went to each home to check to see if she could help the residents. She spent a great deal of time connecting people to organizations, such as the American Red Cross, for assistance.  When Ms. Rodgriuez discovered a family lost their trailer to the flood she collected enough money so that the family could purchase a new home.

Abel Flores, Corrales
(Sandoval County)

Emergency Medical:   Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Mexico

Mr. Flores is a supervisor with a local ambulance service. He was out of town attending a seminar when a complete stranger collapsed on the sidewalk.  Seeing that he was unresponsive, Mr. Flores immediately began rescue efforts while waiting for an ambulance to arrive.  The gentleman was admitted into the hospital and was told that he had a serious heart attack.  His condition  would have been fatal had he not received help.  He was discharged a week later very grateful that Mr. Flores had been available to provide immediate, emergency care.

Captain Darryl "Pete" Longdon, Albuquerque (Bernalillo County)

Fire Safety: Wells Fargo

Driving home from work one evening, Captain Longdon witnessed a vehicle crash along I-40.  He immediately called 911.  When he observed the car was filling up with smoke and flames, he pulled over.  There he found a woman stumble out of her vehicle. He asked the woman if there were additional passengers in the vehicle but she was too confused to respond.  Captain Longdon checked the passenger side where he found a passenger passed out with a puppy in their arms. Shortly after getting both passengers and puppy to safety, another vehicle struck the burning vehicle.  Captain Longdon was able to render aid to passengers of both vehicles.

Billy Jack Miller
Truth or Consequenses
(Sierra County)

Good Samaritan (Adult):   Grainger

Mr. Miller volunteers with a number of organizations such as For the Children, For the Soldiers, Casts for Kids, and provides other educational services to grade school children.  On July 4^th of this last year, Mr. Miller rescued an individual that had fallen into Elephant Butte Lake and gotten stuck between the dock and boats.  After motioning to state officials, he also received assistance from five other people to prevent the individual from drowning.  Mr. Miller has affected a number of lives annually.  He regularly comes forward to provide help when it’s needed.

 
Dominique "Dommer" Joseph Smith
Estancia (Torrance County)

Law Enforcement:    American Red Cross
 

Sgt. Smith died in the line of duty on January 20, 2009.  He was an experienced lawman dedicated to job.  Sgt. Smith had shown his heroic nature a number of times throughout his life.  While working for the Torrance County Detention Facility, he came across an inmate that was trying to commit suicide by hanging.  He scaled a wall and held the inmate up while waiting for help to arrive.  The inmate lived.  Sgt. Smith was also among his colleagues during the Macintosh SWAT situation in 2005.  He stayed on hand until the situation ended.  Sgt. Smith had always shown himself to be a man of character and integrity.  He always provided a helping hand when he thought it was needed.  His actions and his memory have impacted his community and the lives of many people.

Military:    American Red Cross SAF Volunteer

Mr. Berger is someone that has dedicated his life to his country and community and believes in what he does.  He was in the Air Force for twenty years and received numerous awards for his military service.  Mr. Berger has also been a volunteer with the American Red Cross for over twelve years. He was an integral part of the Red Cross team during the Cerro Grande Fires.  He managed one of the largest shelters and assisted in the provision of mass care services.  Mr. Berger also came forward to help during the July 2008 floods in the southern part of the state.  At the time, he was recovering from major surgery, but still managed to work several shifts with the State Emergency Operations Center.  Mr. Berger simply inspires people with his capabilities, his willingness to help, and his way of providing light to people.

Good Samaritan (Youth):    French

Allie Sawyier, eleven, took a Red Cross Babysitter’s Bootcamp course, not realizing that it would impact her life as it did. Ms. Sawyier’s mother went into cardiac arrest one evening and Ms. Sawyier sprang into action.  She was able to identify that something was definitely wrong with her mother and called “911”.  She provided information to the medic on the phone and was instructed to begin CPR steps.  Having taken the Babysitter’s Bootcamp, she knew what to do.  When medics arrived, she let them take over while she helped her younger brother stay calm.

Dr. Michael Neal, Albuquerque
(Bernalillo County)

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