Heroics aside, he's the 'same ol' Tom' Wife says national award for rescuing little girl hasn't changed him

Tom Porter, a disabled former business owner, saved 1-year-old Lyndzie Lucius from her father's burning truck. Tom Porter, a disabled former business owner, saved 1-year-old Lyndzie Lucius from her father's burning truck. Photo: J. Patric Schneider Photo: J. Patric Schneider Image 1 of / 3 Caption Close Heroics aside, he's the 'same ol' Tom' 1 / 3 Back to Gallery

Tom Porter says he doesn't think he's a hero, but he'll soon have a bronze medal that says he is.

The Montgomery County resident was awarded a Carnegie Hero medal for pulling a 1-year-old girl from a burning vehicle on Jan. 6, 2011.

The national award is given to people who perform extraordinary acts of bravery to save or attempt to save the lives of others. Porter was among 20 people from across the country recognized by the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission Wednesday.

"It's an honor and kind of a surprise," said Porter, who received a letter from the commission Monday.

He will receive a 3-inch medal and a $5,000 check.

Porter, 54, said he never expected any recognition for doing what he felt was right.

"I did what had to be done at the time and I hope that anybody else would do the same," he said.

He and his wife, Nora, were burning trash outside their home on Daw Collins Road in Security when they heard a loud crash shortly after 7 p.m.

They jumped in their truck and sped a quarter-mile down the road, where they discovered a truck in flames, Porter said.

Carl Lucius Jr., the driver, had struck a feral hog, lost control of his truck and crashed into a tree.

"When we got there, another neighbor was there and said there was a baby inside the truck," said Porter, a disabled former business owner.

Lucius managed to escape from the wreckage but was too injured to rescue his daughter, Lyndzie L. Lucius.

Flames thwarted Porter's attempt to enter the front of the vehicle and the door was jammed. He climbed into the back of the truck and squeezed through the rear window while his wife called 911.

"I leaned in over the baby and saw that she was in the same (type of) car seat as my granddaughter," said Porter. "I said, 'I got this.' But for some reason I couldn't get it undone.

"I can feel the flames and smokes and I'm thinking, 'I can't let this baby die,' " he said.

'They're great people'

The grandfather of three grabbed his pocketknife to cut her loose and handed the girl to a neighbor. Moments later, the truck was engulfed in fire.

Porter said he's grateful he had the pocketknife with him, since it wasn't in his pocket for most of the day. He figures he must have grabbed it along with his keys as he rushed to the accident.

Lyndzie's grandfather, Carl Lucius Sr. of Conroe, said Porter deserves the award.

"It's one of the greatest things that could happen," said Lucius, who has visited Porter several times. "I think he's a great guy. Him and his wife, they're great people."

He said his granddaughter, who suffered only minor injuries, is doing well. Lyndzie, now 2, enjoys the cartoon program "Dora the Explorer." Carl Lucius Jr., who suffered a broken back, a broken leg and crushed foot, remains under a doctor's care, he said.

Another Texan honored

Nora Porter said she's happy for her husband of 30 years. He is always willing to help people, despite his back problems, and enjoys sitting on his porch watching out for his neighbors. They've lived on Daw Collins Road for 28 years.

She said Porter, who enjoys riding his four-wheeler and motorcycle, also received an award from the Texas Department of Public Safety last September for his bravery. The accolades haven't changed him, she said.

"He's still the same ol' Tom," she said.

Another Texan, Robin DeHaven of Austin, also received a Carnegie Hero award. DeHaven, a 28-year-old glazier, was on his way back to a job in 2010 when he saw smoke billowing from a building housing Internal Revenue Service offices, where a small plane crashed in a suicide protest over tax disputes.

DeHaven took a 17-foot ladder from his truck, climbed into the burning building and helped six people escape.

renee.lee@chron.com