Heroes don’t come along every day. But when the moment arrives when split-second decision making and instinct take over, it’s nice to know that there are people who will rise to the occasion.
Each spring, the New Hampshire Union Leader in conjunction with Citizens Bank, honors residents who have risked their lives to save or attempt to save the life of another during the previous year.
On a cold March day, without a second thought, Franklin Police Sgt. Forrest Walker jumped into the turbulent Winnipesaukee River to save two young children after their father’s canoe capsized, dumping them into the dark, icy water behind the Franklin Public Library.
Twelve people were honored with New Hampshire Hero Awards during an afternoon ceremony Tuesday outside the State House. The program is sponsored by Citizens and presented by the New Hampshire Union Leader.
As a fire ripped through a mobile home in Seabrook last spring, a police officer, the first person on the scene, acted fast to save one of the people inside.
Windham Police Officer Chris Van Hirtum said he went on instinct when local Deputy Fire Chief Stephen Brady yelled that he needed help getting a fire victim out of a smoke-filled, Manor Motel room on April 6, 2021.
Dover police officers Molly Shoer, Tyler Malsbury and Oake Carlson (from left) are pictured at a July 2021 recognition ceremony. They are pictured here with dispatcher Emily Cleary and Police Chief Bill Breault.
Three members of the Dover Police Department are being recognized with New Hampshire Hero Awards after they helped to save the lives of residents in a burning apartment building.
Two law enforcement officers who ran into a smoke-filled Manchester apartment building last year to alert and rescue tenants are being recognized as New Hampshire Heroes.
