Man Who Helped Officer Is Rewarded With Citizen Appreciation Award

A Tulsa police officer says he is only alive because of the kindness of a stranger. That stranger received the police department's Citizen Appreciation Award Wednesday. <br/><br/>Officer Carl Small

Wednesday, April 25th 2007, 10:21 am

By: News On 6

A Tulsa police officer says he is only alive because of the kindness of a stranger. That stranger received the police department's Citizen Appreciation Award Wednesday.

Officer Carl Small was answering a vandalism call near the airport when he confronted the suspect. The suspect punched the officer, who went down onto the ground. While he was down the man kicked the officer repeatedly in the head. That's when Tulsa airport employee, Shawn Kenard, saw what was happening and stopped to help.

"I believe I am standing here talking to you because of his actions that day. He knocked me down. I was on the ground. I was totally defensive, trying to defend myself and stay conscious," Tulsa Police Officer Carl Small said.

Mr. Kenard was quite humble when accepting the award, saying he didn't do anything special that day.