Having always been a hero to his close friends and family, retired mailman Ken Brodie became a hero to his city when he helped rescue two young women and a toddler from a vicious dog attack last December.
Now, Brodie has been recognized by a prestigious North American organization for his heroic act.
The Carnegie Hero Fund Commission has nominated the 73-year-old for a Carnegie Medal for intervening as a dog attacked twin sisters, 21, in South Arm Park on Dec. 29.
Brodie jumped a six-foot-high fence in his backyard, which faces Whiteside elementary and South Arm Park, to pry a Rottweiler-cross off one of the women, who was bitten more than 100 times and sent to hospital in critical condition. Brodie’s hand was severely injured in the incident.
This week, the long-time Richmond resident played down his nomination.
“I’m not worried about it. I’m just glad the women are OK. I’m sorry to see the dog put down. I feel sorry for it,” said Brodie, who often walks dogs in the neighbourhood to lend a helping hand.
Brodie, an avid community volunteer, said he often gets stopped by people who thank him for intervening.
“I don’t know if I risked my life or not,” he said.
“I did what I could. I did what I could and I thought I have to help (in) some way. That’s about it,” added Brodie, who was immediately hailed as a hero by Richmond RCMP in the aftermath of the attack.
Brodie said he still experiences some pain in his hand, nearly three months after the incident.
Established by industrialist and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie in 1904, the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission awards, on average, about 100 people from the United States and Canada each year in recognition of outstanding acts of selfless heroism.
Jeff Dooley, the commission’s investigations manager, said the charitable organization will first be speaking to Brodie to better understand the incident. He said a decision to award a medal could take months.
Awardees receive a financial grant in addition to the medal.
Last year, Helen Goulet, of Courtenay, B.C. was awarded a medal for pulling a friend out of a house fire.
