A 5-year-old girl in the clutches of a wild pit bull was rescued Oct. 9 by a bus driver and bus attendant, both represented by AFSCME Local 2251. Bill Farrington, a Bayonne (New Jersey) School District bus driver, and bus attendant Damien Washington sprang into action to save the girl, who was treated for injuries at a local hospital and went home later that day.
Farrington and Washington were honored Nov. 17 with the Spirit of Heroism Award, presented by the Bayonne School Board. "Mr. Bill Farrington and Mr. Damien Washington risked their lives to rescue a child from the jaws of a wild dog," school administrator Dennis C. Degnan said, as reported by NJ.com. "Dr. [Patricia] McGeehan [Superintendent of Schools] acknowledged the staff members for their quick thinking and courage, and for putting the safety of this child above themselves."
Once the girl was rescued, the dog turned on its owner, forcing the police to discharge their weapons, killing the animal.
“What happened on October 9th demonstrates the continued commitment of the hardworking women and men of Bayonne School District,” said Rich Gollin, AFSCME Council 52 executive director. “We join with the school board to applaud the courageous efforts by Brothers Farrington and Washington.”