On the stormy winter evening of January 24, 2011, 72-year-old Samuel Adams was on his way to bed when he heard a female’s frantic screams. He looked out his front window and saw flames coming from an overturned vehicle on his front lawn.

Dressed for bed, Mr. Adams ran to the burning vehicle and found the sole occupant, a female driver, frantic and unable to open her door. Mr. Adams helped the trapped woman escape from the burning vehicle and while flames engulfed the car, he brought her into the safety of his home.

His wife then called 911 to report the accident and both comforted the victim while they waited for emergency personnel to arrive.