Public Service Spotlight: Philadelphia’s Ricky Allsop

The latest AFSCME member to be featured in our “Public Service Spotlight” series is Philadelphia’s Ricky Allsop, a PennDot worker and a member of AFSCME Council 13.

Allsop is a two-time lifesaver.

On Superbowl Sunday, Allsop managed to secure a vehicle whose driver was in medical distress. He performed CPR on the driver, radioed for help and saved the driver’s life – actions for which he was recognized by the City of Philadelphia.

Later, on the way to the NBC Philadelphia’s studio where he was filming the Public Service Spotlight, Allsop saved a kitten named Lois on the freeway and returned her to her owner.

Owner Kent Roberts even posted a thank you note on our union’s Facebook page, writing in part: “This man is a hero and he was long before he brought my cat … back to me. He and his crew turned down a reward at every turn, simply doing the right thing because they were there and it was right. Heroes are anyone that chooses to be one and I'll always be grateful to Ricky.”

Though Allsop says, “I really feel I’m no hero. I just did what I feel every other person in that situation would have done,” we’d respectfully disagree.

Learn more about Allsop and what keeps him motivated to serve his community by watching the Public Service Spotlight.