THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, September 22, 1995 TAG: 9509220487
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY MIKE MATHER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: Short : 47 lines
In front of 100 Rosemont Elementary School classmates Thursday, 9-year-old Adam Sullivan was awarded one of the Police Department's highest honors - the Life Saving Medal.
Adam, his right cheek dominated by a healing gash, shyly accepted the medal and a separate police commendation for bravery presented by Police Chief Charles R. Wall.
Police credited Adam with saving the life of his brother, 4-year-old Andrew, when the boys' year-old chow turned on them Sept. 15.
When the dog mauled Andrew, Adam threw himself between his brother and the pet's snapping jaws. He held the dog by the fur so his brother could escape. The animal tore into Adam's cheek.
The boys' mother, Angela G. Sullivan, rushed into the yard after the attack erupted. She scooped up her children and ran inside as the dog gnashed her back and elbow.
She, too, was awarded a police commendation. She wept during the presentations.
All three were treated for their injuries at Virginia Beach General Hospital. The dog, Smokey Bear, was exterminated.
``Each one of you has it in you to do the right thing at the right time,'' Wall told the students gathered for the brief ceremony in the school's combination cafeteria and auditorium.
Police spokesman Mike Carey said the commendations awarded Adam and his mother are issued to citizens ``who perform acts involving personal danger above and beyond what is normally expected of citizens.'' Carey said police awarded the Life Saving Medal to Adam because his actions saved his brother.
The medal is rarely awarded to a citizen.
Both boys probably will need more medical work, the family said. The Sullivan family doesn't have health insurance. The Rosemont Elementary School PTA donated $250 to the Sullivans for future bills. ILLUSTRATION: Photo by D. Kevin Elliott, Staff
At Rosemont Elementary School Thursday, Virginia Beach Police Chief
Charles R. Wall presents a commendation to Adam Sullivan...
by CNB