AFSCME members often put the lives of others above their own. That’s exactly what Ohio school bus driver Dorian Pace did when he saved the lives of 15 students first — and then his own — just moments before his bus was engulfed in flames on a cold February morning.
For the last 11 years, Pace has been a dedicated school bus driver for the Cleveland Heights-University Heights School District and a proud member of the Ohio Association of Public School Employees (OAPSE/AFSCME). Pace takes pride in being the first and last person his riders see every school day, but he knows his job is about more than just getting kids to school — it’s about ensuring their safety, day in and day out.
“I greet my students with a smile every morning,” Pace said. “Sometimes, a little kindness changes a child's whole day.”
That kindness quickly turned into courage when, on a routine morning route on Feb. 27, he noticed something was wrong. The bus wasn’t responding like it should. He radioed for help, but before the mechanics could reach him, disaster struck. He heard a loud boom, and as he looked in his mirrors, he noticed smoke coming from the rear of the bus, followed by billowing flames.
Pace’s instincts kicked in. Without alarming the kids, he ushered the students off the bus. Because of his leadership, quick thinking and years of experience, every student made it out unharmed.
After ensuring the students were safe, Pace didn’t stop there. Driven by his commitment to serving his community, he climbed behind the wheel of another bus and finished his shift.
"After speaking with the firefighters and police officers, I got on a new bus and completed my route," Pace said. "I was still on duty, and I had a job to do."
As a show of gratitude for Pace’s heroic actions, his students wrote him personal notes thanking him. Pace’s actions point to the dedication that school bus drivers — and all public service workers — show in serving their communities.
The story made the national news. Pace was also honored by the Cleveland Heights City Council for his bravery. The Ohio Department of Public Safety presented him with a special coin. Additionally, the Cleveland Heights-University Heights Board of Education passed a resolution to acknowledge his dedication to student safety.
Although local parents and his family see him as a hero, Pace remains humble.
"My family has been amazing, calling me ‘hero dad’ and ‘hero husband,’ but I don’t see it that way,” Pace said. “I was just doing my job, and I’m grateful to God we all got out safely."