January 13th, 1982: Air Florida Flight 90 crashed into the Potomac River. Only six of the 74 passengers survived the crash and ended up in the icy water. While a helicopter was able to come in and snatch four of the 6 passengers one disappeared under the water while another – Priscilla Tirado – helplessly struggled in the 33-degree water. Unable to hold on to the rope lowered by the helicopter she began to drown. A bystander who witnessed the crash while he was walking home could not take it any longer. He could not stand there and watch this woman drown. He removed his coat and jumped in the water. He swam over to her as she laid just under the water, grabbed her – and pulled her to the bank.
He saved her life.
This is the epitome of the Sheepdog.
Not everyone can jump into action and put themselves into harm’s way. Not everyone can be a Sheepdog. Can it be learned or developed? Probably. People are just wired in different ways.
I have had several situations where things were happening nearby and I could not just sit back and not get involved. Sometimes it was preventing someone from getting hurt. Sometimes it was standing up for someone. Sometimes it was helping someone who was already hurt. Risk evaluation has to be done but sometimes there just isn’t any time.
Saturday evening I was walking through uptown Charlotte, NC with a friend. Walking down the sidewalk along the busy street I came towards a metal bench. I wasn’t looking at it rather just walking with my friend talking. In an instant, I saw a child run around from the front of the bench to the back of it and then straight towards the busy car filled street. I didn’t think about it I just moved. I ran and grabbed the kid – about 2 years old – just inches from the street. Did I save the kids life? I don’t know. The father noticed the kid as well and put his hand out in front of the child right at the same time I got to him.
My heart was pounding in my chest. My buddy said he didn’t see anything and just saw me take off. Some big, muscular guy said his heart was racing because he thought the kid was going to get hit. I almost said it but didn’t – “Why did you just stand there?”
The answer to that question is not everyone reacts the same nor has the capability to react the same.
As for me – I will continue to mind my own business until it’s time NOT to mind my own business.
JR.
NOTE: This post was originally published March 14th, 2016.
Hail, hail all those who can react in this manner. From my experience, it just happens, like your hand shooting out to stop your child’s forward movement when you have to put on the brakes unepectedly….even though the child has a seat belt on.
I’m sorry but originally Grossman had a good point with this but it has come to the point of just being ridiculous with all the ‘sheepdogs’ out there. Most are all bark. I’d rather be this, Why I’m not a Sheepdog https://loadoutroom.com/thearmsguide/im-not-sheepdog-shouldnt-either/
I want to just be a dude
Can’t say I agree with the writer of the article. Col. Grossman actually teaches the LEO or Lion concept now over the “Sheepdog”. I understand some people just don’t want to get involved. Just say that and don’t make excuses to why your not a “Sheepdog” or “Lion”. Furthermore, sometimes all the “Sheepdog” needs to do is bark to scare off the wolf!!!
Choice is yours JH.
Kudos to you JR for your actions. I would like to think that I would react in the same manner but I can’t recall a time when that “trait” was tested on me. I have known several people that were in the right place at the right time and assisted. Some were car wrecks and some were other situations. I can say that I believe I have avoided car accidents by being aware and taking actions to prevent a situation.
I also think it has a lot to do with awareness as well as being there at the right time. Like JR, he saw the situation but his friend did not so JR was aware of his surroundings. That is a great routine. I try at all times to do that. My wife is terrible at it even though I have advised her to be aware of people and situations around her. She has a trusting soul.
I will continue to be aware of my surroundings at all times and if a situation like JR was in, I hope I react as he did.
I’m the same Rourke, even in grade school I stoped a freind from walking in front of a car, jumped in front of people about to fight, even defended a teacher about to hit by a student( this was in Detroit). I grew up on a farm in Kentucky, then later Virginia, but then moved to Detroit to live with my dad when I turned 16, as a country hick I got into many fights, moslsty two to three on one, had a very hard time in school and after many beitingd by gang members on the way home from school, my dad enrolled me into adult education, my guidance counselor and dad agreed it was best for me, coming from the country and my background I did not fit in Detroit schools, I would not join any gangs, there were very few whites, maybe 200!in 4000 in the school, and I didn’t like seeing others picked on, should have kept my mouth shut, but I’ll say this, some of the best friends I ever had were black. Point is I could never stand by while someone else was in danger, and if it wasn’t for my dad, I’d probably be dead, it’s my nature, I don’t think I ever even had a choice, adrenaline starts, I get a indescribable feeling… it’s like a race, before you know it your already in it, time stops, and your there!
JR, I’m with you.