It was a life-changing split-second decision that will restore your faith in humanity.
Just this month, a viral video circulated around the internet about a heroic intervention that was decided in just a blink of an eye.
Risking one life for another
A Maryland police officer stayed true to the ethos of “protect and serve”, even if it meant putting her own life on the line.
Cpl. Annette Goodyear was on crosswalk duty.
She was standing in the middle of the zebra line, helping children cross the street safely.
The encounter was captured on CCTV by a property just beside the crosswalk.
In the said video, you can see Cpl. Goodyear in her bright orange poncho so she could be easily seen especially amidst the rainy weather.
But that wouldn’t stop what’s coming.
She held up her hand to signal the approaching vehicle to slow down and stop.
Thinking it was safe, a girl in a hoodie crossed the street.
As she carefully approached the middle of the street where Cpl. Goodyear was standing, a blur suddenly zooms from the edge of the screen.
The blink of an eye
The girl didn’t seem to notice that danger was just a second away from where she was standing. With her hood obscuring her periphery, it would be too late for her to react.
With only a second to decide, Cpl. Goodyear did what most of us would hesitate to do.
She firmly grabbed the girl.
She grabbed her by the arm and pushed her away from the car. Even with two people in the middle of the crosswalk, the car plowed through them, hitting Cpl. Goodyear.
She fell down on the side of the car but she managed to push the girl to safety.
The encounter would’ve been a grim accident, but disaster was averted because of Cpl. Goodyear’s quick thinking and selflessness.
Cpl. Goodyear’s priority was the child.
“I just remember laying on the ground and looking up, and the first thing I thought was ‘where is the student?’” she said, as quoted by People.
Cpl. Goodyear was taken to the hospital.
Fortunately, the heroic police officer only suffered minor injuries. She was also released that same day.
The driver who almost struck the girl is facing four traffic citations.
“They were for negligent driving, driving on an expired registration plate, failing to stop at a pedestrian in a crosswalk, and failing to stop at a yield sign before entering a crosswalk when required to do so,” a spokesperson for the Cecil County Sheriff’s Office told People.
Meanwhile, after being released from the hospital, Cpl. Goodyear personally checked on the student she saved.
She shared that they all cried after recounting the event and the family was so thankful for her actions. They weren’t the only ones who appreciated her heroism, however.
“I will be awarding a governor’s citation to Annette Goodyear for her incredible heroism in putting herself at risk to save a young student from being hit by an oncoming car,” Maryland Governor Larry Hogan announced in a tweet.
Cecil County executive Danielle Hornberger also said that the mayor also plans to recognize the officer as well.
In a separate statement, Ceil County Public Schools shared that they are “forever grateful” for Cpl. Goodyear’s selfless response.
Watch this officer save a child in the video below!
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