First responders and firefighters risk their lives everyday. They never want recognition but Thursday, at their own commendations ceremony, Baltimore County Fire department honored those civilians who risked their lives to save another.
It was a packed house at Loch Raven High School to honor some of the county's bravest. Among them, Makai McEanhin who helped to save his friend from a well last March but doesn't feel like he deserves recognition.
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"I just feel like a regular person ordinary day. I just wanted to help my friend," he said.
Makai's mother, Mia stood proudly next to him as he received his award.
"He doesn't feel like a hero, he just felt like he did what he needed to do. It was a little bit unbelievable because I still to this day don't know how he did it," she said.
The Patterson family was also recognized.
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"I was playing the pool and I walked passed her and she followed me," said 9-year-old Courtney. She saved her sister Hallie from possibly drowning.
"She had gotten out of the shallow pool to go to the deep end and unbeknownst to her, her little sister was following her," said Ryan Patterson, Courtney's father.
"I turned around and I saw a splash and I went underwater and I saw my sister," Courtney said. Had it not been from Courtney's bravery, the Pattersons' lives could've been changed forever.
"As a parent it's overwhelming to have someone that's 9 years old have the wherewithal to think so quickly," Patterson said.
Courtney sums up her recognition with two words: "Really happy!"
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