Representatives from the Nebraska AAA were in Bellevue on Friday afternoon to present Twin Ridge Elementary School 5th Grader Thomas Wilson with their School Safety Life Saving Medal Award for actions Tommy took last September. While serving as a School Safety Patrol Guard, Tommy bravely averted a possible tragedy by stepping in front of a kindergarten student at the school to prevent him from being hit by a private daycare's school bus that didn't see the young student. This is a very rare award for the AAA to award, in fact it has only been handed out 432 times since its inception in 1949. Twin Ridge Elementary Principal Dana Martin recognized the significance of this award and helped put on an assembly so all of the students could see this presentation and learn a little more about pedestrian safety. Bellevue Public School Superintendent Frank Harwood and Assistant Superintendent Jeff Rippe joined the Twin Ridge Faculty and students in congratulating Tommy.
Lisa Rybar and Phil Davidson represented Bellevue Mayor Rita Sanders, who was out of town, and presented Tommy the City of Bellevue's Life Saving Award as well. They were joined by members of the Bellevue Police and Fire Departments who also complimented Tommy on his potentially life saving effort and Bellevue Police Captain Tom Dargy awarded Tommy an honorary coin from the Department for his efforts.
Tommy has expressed a desire to possibly be a policeman or firefighter when he grows up so the members of the Bellevue Fire Department brought a fire truck to the ceremony for the twin Ridge Students to see up close and personal after the assembly was over.