Klug then asked Dawson to recount the incident, telling the commissioners and those present the circumstances of how he came to intervene in the attack. Choking back tears, Dawson spoke about his reactions upon hearing the cries for help, and how he didn’t give much thought to acting, just immediately springing into action.

“We’re all family, we all got kids, you know,” Dawson began, his voice cracking. “When I got out of the door of that truck and could hear the kid screaming, my instincts were as a father to go help this kid.”

Visibly emotion and wiping tears away as he spoke, Dawson spoke of the attack, and how his concern was not for himself, but to ensure that the kids were safe.

Dawson also pointed out that the praise did not belong to him alone, but to the individuals that also came to help.

“Without them, it could have been really bad,” he said. “I just tried to do what anyone else would do.”

Dawson added how in the aftermath, he was moved at how much his friends, neighbors and community have come together to support those involved.

“We’ve got a lot of good people in this town.” he told the commission.