A Contra Costa County man has been awarded the Carnegie Medal for Heroism after saving a little girl from a burning car in 2024.
On May 2024, Troy White was driving his daughter from soccer practice on Highway 4 when he saw the scene of a car crash. A woman had managed to get out of the car, but her 3-year-old daughter was trapped inside the burning wreckage.
White then climbed inside the car, released the girl from her car seat and pulled her out to safety moments before the car exploded.
Now, he says he would do it again in a heartbeat.
“I didn’t think I deserved it. 17 others honored several died. I didn’t do anything unusual, I’d do this every single day if I needed to,” White said.
The Carnegie Medal for Heroism it’s the highest civilian honor that can be given for heroism. It’s an award designed to honor everyday people who do extraordinary things to help save others from extreme danger.
This is only the second time someone from Contra Costa County has been awarded the medal.
“That is exceptional, and this is an ordinary man, and I love the fact that we can honor this lovely man who did this extraordinary thing, not because he had to, not because he got paid, but because he is just a hero and we have heroes among us,” said Diane Burgis, Contra Costa County supervisor.
Burgis presented the award to White in front of his family at Tuesday’s Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors meeting. She told White it was a huge honor for her.
Along with the medal, White was awarded $7,000 and will get ongoing medical and educational support if needed.
Jodi Hernandez
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