On July 5^th, 2022, Roosevelt Hudson’s day began relatively uneventfully. He had run an errand in the morning and was sitting outside in his carport when he saw that his neighbor, Sonya Newsome, had received a visitor. From where he was seated, Mr. Hudson could see Sonya’s mother make multiple attempts to try to get into the home or get Sonya to come to the door. Her mother tried the front and the back of the house, and after several minutes she began to cry out to Mr. Hudson to call 911.

Mr. Hudson immediately sprung into action. As soon as he approached the house, he began to smell smoke. After trying the doors and windows, the only option would be to break the door down. After kicking the door in, he went through the house, calling her name, but there was no response. At this point, there was significant smoke, but there were no flames that he could see.

Seeing that her bedroom door was closed, he kicked the door in but was thrown backward by the force of the smoke and heat. When he first looked, he couldn’t see her and nearly left the hallway, but something told him to look back again. When he did, Sonya was standing in the center of the flames. It took just a few steps for Mr. Hudson to get Sonya and pull her into the hallway. She collapsed almost immediately, and Mr. Hudson then had to drag her outside to safety.

Roosevelt Hudson says he jumped into action because of his upbringing and belief in God. He credits the Spirit of God as leading him to do something out of the ordinary, and he credits his parents and fellow church members for teaching him to know to answer when God called on him that day. He says, “My spirit took over; I responded to the fact that I was needed, how I was needed, and what I was needed to do. Every step I made, every move I made was led by the Spirit and the Spirit within me. I was being led by someone higher than myself; I believed I was protected.”

Mr. Hudson wants people to know that his actions that day were not about being a hero but about being decent, which means living the life that God planned for all of us. He wants everyone to know that we are all heroes, even when our actions are as small as sharing a kind word with someone, because you never know if those words might change the course of that person’s life forever.

Jeremy Smith has been involved in Emergency Medical Services since he was fourteen years old, when he joined the Junior Fire Fighter Program in Forsyth County. The opportunity to serve and learn at such a young age gave Jeremy the unique experience of being trained in all aspects of EMS from firefighting to communication. Jeremy credits the help and support of many individuals who have supported him throughout his career. However, he names Danny Collins and Terry Caudle as the two indviduals who inspired him to pursue a career in communications. Danny and Terry worked for the 911 Communications Division and served as both teachers and mentors to Jeremy. In 2011, he joined their deparment full time.

Jeremy is a Shift Supervisor on D Shift who recently brought new meaning to the phrase "first" first responder. On the morning of April 22, 2023, Jeremy was alert to a medical emergency that was occurring next door in the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office Communications. One of the telecommunicators had become unresponsive and not breathing after experiencing a seizure. Jeremy quickly grabbed the AED and medical bag located in the supply room and went to their aide. Upon arrival, Jeremy found another FCSO telecommunicator, Jaclyn Nelson, performing chest compressions on the patient. Jeremy instructed Jaclyn doing compressions to continue while he powered the AED on and applied the pads. Once the pads were applied, he allowed the AED to analyze the rhythm which did show a shockable rhythm. Jeremy delivered a shock to the patient and the compressor continued compressions. Within a few seconds of the shock, the patient began breathing on his own, and then regained consciousness. This all occurred before EMS arrived on scene. There is no doubt that early CPR, and the quick actions of Jeremy using the AED, saved this individual's life.

Jeremy states that “getting to know people has probably been the biggest asset of this work in my career. This has allowed me to be where I’m at, I wouldn’t have these jobs without building a network. I couldn’t have had these experiences. I have the gift of gab and of knowing people.”

“The 911 call center is hard to explain to folks who don’t do this work – we’re all on a different pace – we’re all a team, but we all have a part to play on the team. There are a lot of misconceptions, and one of the advantages that I’ve had is that the call center brings it full circle. Because I understand what the first responders are doing, I have a different perspective. Our job is directly related to the ability to stabilize a situation and save lives. We’ve got to calm people down, we’ve got to get folks to explain what happened. If it is law enforcement related, we have to get the correct responders. We are the call center within the county and have to send folks to the correct responder. It’s a lengthy process for us  and sometimes it can be five minutes or less. Sometimes it can be 8-10 minutes. Because the person has to realize that there is an emergency, we have to then communicate with multiple agencies, and those folks have to get the information, and get themselves together. They could be in the bathroom. There are some agencies in the place where you may live quite far or in the heart of the city and there are a lot of factors in emergency response and a lot of people don’t understand that. Sometimes if we drop the ball, it could cost. It could cost somebody time that they need to get some help. We also are responsible for allocating resources and keeping up with all agencies to ensure that they have the information to get what they need.

But on the flip side, it is fun and its like paying chess. We take at least 200,000 calls a year – sometimes by God’s grace – we can help people who need!”

Come to find out the same thing had happened to his father. He moved here from Korea, he had been complaining of a headache. Because of 911 dispatchers, his father was able to get the intervention that he needed. For this certain instance in April, the team worked together to provide the skills necessary to save a life.

Laura Smith is a 25-year Emergency Medical Services (EMS) veteran and works as a community paramedic at Forsyth County Emergency Services. When she began working in the field of EMS, she had no idea that it would become her future career, but the more Laura learned, the more she loved the work.

For many years, she worked on the ambulance side of EMS; however, in late 2015, Forsyth County received funding to create and establish community paramedic services. With the grant, the County became one of the first in the State of North Carolina with the program. The opportunity allowed Laura and her colleagues to receive additional training on behavioral health and focus on helping citizens get the appropriate healthcare for their needs. In many cases, the work would allow community members to access urgent care, for example, for routine visits or minor emergencies, rather than seeking services at the emergency room. Within two and a half months, the team successfully diverted 50% of behavioral health calls to urgent care, saving 911 calls and ER visits.

From the early days of the pilot program, Laura and her colleagues identified numerous ways that their community needed help and access to that help. Eventually, the program became known as the Mobile Integrated Healthcare Division, and the group serves the community by providing information on resources to the community and ensuring that patients have access to behavioral healthcare when needed.

Her colleagues recognize Laura for her work with elderly patients and her commitment to prioritizing their care and treatment even when they cannot facilitate this for themselves. Her patience and empathy when working with patients with a mental health diagnosis or addiction is unparalleled, and her work has led to many life-saving interventions.

In addition to her daily responsibilities at work, Laura volunteers to teach classes on fall prevention at county-wide organizations. She is credited with improving communications and partnerships across the healthcare system, including building relationships with social workers from the Department of Social Services.  

Laura has also sought ways to support families during sadness and loss. She often responds to calls when an individual has passed away and, during those moments, often extends her support beyond what her job requires. In addition, she began a regional support group for widows.

Laura is being recognized by Salute to Heroes because she has saved countless lives in her role and worked tirelessly to improve the quality of life for her local community members.

Jeremy Shelton is an Assistant Fire Marshal in Rockingham County. His recognition at the Salute to Heroes event is not for a singular heroic event but rather for a culmination of his selfless contributions to the people in his community.

Jeremy began as a junior volunteer firefighter nearly 20 years ago. It is a cause and a need that he feels called to support, and despite the demands of his job, he is still an active volunteer Captain and Training Officer.

In addition to his full-time job and volunteering, Jeremy teaches at a local community college. Despite being incredibly busy, he is always committed to finding a way to help others when he learns they are in need. For example, Jeremy helped develop a program allowing Rockingham County to distribute and install deaf or hard-of-hearing alarms in many homes. One year, when the county ran out of these alarms, he made it his mission to secure the resources to ensure that needs were still met. Similarly, he developed a program to install carbon monoxide alarms in many homes in the county.

From helping residents in the middle of the night switch out faulty alarms to helping community members find employment, Jeremy consistently goes above and beyond the duties required of him. In the last two years, he has developed a Rockingham County Honor Guard Group for Emergency Services to honor those that have passed on in this line of work. In this role, he often gives up nights and weekends to coordinate visitations and funerals.

With a reputation for showing care and compassion in all he does, Jeremy is known throughout the department and community as an individual with a unique ability to connect with people of all ages. His colleagues admire how he keeps people laughing, even while learning. Fire Marshal Melissa Joyce said she overheard someone say to him one day, "The next time I am having a bad day, I'm going to call you so you can make me laugh."

Jeremy is being recognized by Salute to Heroes for his countless selfless acts and willingness to always support those in need.

Payton Story felt called to be a firefighter his entire life. His father is a firefighter and describes growing up around the fire station as feeling like it was his place to be. He started volunteering at age 15, and now that he is certified, he describes the job as the ultimate way to give back to his community.

On January 29, 2022, at 07:13 am, the West Lexington Fire & Rescue was dispatched to a mobile home fire. Firefighter Story arrived on the scene in Engine 71 with one other firefighter to find heavy fire involving 3/4 of the structure. Because of the proximity to the station, Engine 71 was able to arrive quickly. However, because of icy road conditions, the circumstances for emergency responders were challenging.

When the firefighters arrived, they were notified that all the family members had made it out with minor injuries. However, there was a three-month-old baby girl that was still inside. At the time, she was in the only room in the home that was not burning.

Firefighter Story immediately conducted a ‘vent enter search.’ Through a busted window, he could locate the child’s crib. He promptly entered the home and safely passed the infant to his crew members awaiting outside the window. The baby was transported to Wake Forest Burn Center and treated for severe burns. However, she was able to come back home after five months.

The firefighter describes days like January 29 as difficult, but he stresses the importance of the work done by himself and his colleagues. Firefighter Story’s swift actions were lifesaving; for that, he is being recognized by Salute to Heroes.

On May 23, 2022, High Point Police Officers Matt Lopes and Jerry Trew responded to 1800 S. Main St. regarding an Assault with a Deadly Weapon that had just occurred at a neighboring business. Upon arrival, the officers encountered the victim in the parking lot. She was bleeding profusely, although she was alert. She told the officers she was five months pregnant and had been shot six times.

The officers quickly assessed her condition and administered first aid by applying two tourniquets to arterial bleeds and holding pressure on other wounds. The officers also effectively directed others at the scene and used resourceful thinking, such as applying sterile surgical masks to the injuries when they ran out of gauze. The victim was transported to an area hospital and immediately went into surgery. She and her unborn child both survived due to the officers' lifesaving measures on the scene, which made it possible for her to receive advanced care at the hospital.

The following is an excerpt from an email was received on May 29, 2022, from a Guilford County EMS Shift Commander, who stated that an EMS Field Trainer had sent an email through his chain of command to bring attention to the actions of Officers Lopes and Trew:

"If it were not for HPPD placing tourniquets on this patient, she and her baby would not be alive today. HPPD also made it to where we could get out of the parking lot of the Sonic and onto Main St. without worrying about traffic. They also followed us the whole way to the hospital to ensure people did not pass the ambulance or tailgate us while going down the highway. This was crucial in assisting us with getting the patient to the hospital in the quickest amount of time possible."

"The communication that happened on scene was some of the best and most effective I have experienced since being at this service. All agencies were on the same page and worked great together. I do not want this incident to go unnoticed for our people and our partner agencies."

The Emergency Room doctor at Moses Cone also stated that the officers' actions had saved the life of the woman and her child. The officers are being recognized by Salute to Heroes for their quick actions, resourcefulness, and unwavering dedication to protecting the lives of all High Point community members.

On May 23, 2022, High Point Police Officers Matt Lopes and Jerry Trew responded to 1800 S. Main St. regarding an Assault with a Deadly Weapon that had just occurred at a neighboring business. Upon arrival, the officers encountered the victim in the parking lot. She was bleeding profusely, although she was alert. She told the officers she was five months pregnant and had been shot six times.

The officers quickly assessed her condition and administered first aid by applying two tourniquets to arterial bleeds and holding pressure on other wounds. The officers also effectively directed others at the scene and used resourceful thinking, such as applying sterile surgical masks to the injuries when they ran out of gauze. The victim was transported to an area hospital and immediately went into surgery. She and her unborn child both survived due to the officers' lifesaving measures on the scene, which made it possible for her to receive advanced care at the hospital.

The following is an excerpt from an email was received on May 29, 2022, from a Guilford County EMS Shift Commander, who stated that an EMS Field Trainer had sent an email through his chain of command to bring attention to the actions of Officers Lopes and Trew:

"If it were not for HPPD placing tourniquets on this patient, she and her baby would not be alive today. HPPD also made it to where we could get out of the parking lot of the Sonic and onto Main St. without worrying about traffic. They also followed us the whole way to the hospital to ensure people did not pass the ambulance or tailgate us while going down the highway. This was crucial in assisting us with getting the patient to the hospital in the quickest amount of time possible."

"The communication that happened on scene was some of the best and most effective I have experienced since being at this service. All agencies were on the same page and worked great together. I do not want this incident to go unnoticed for our people and our partner agencies."

The Emergency Room doctor at Moses Cone also stated that the officers' actions had saved the life of the woman and her child. The officers are being recognized by Salute to Heroes for their quick actions, resourcefulness, and unwavering dedication to protecting the lives of all High Point community members.

Mr. Henry Harper doesn’t think of himself as a hero, yet he has demonstrated his dedication to his country and community throughout his life.

As a teenager, he joined an auto club of local youth, many of whom worked for R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company. One year, he produced a talent show to raise money for the local Goodwill. The event was a success, and Goodwill offered to thank the auto club members with a nice meal. Rather than immediately accepting the meal, Mr. Harper said, “Do you have a wheelchair? If you can get us a wheelchair, we will graciously decline the dinner.” The Goodwill employees (and some of the auto club members) were surprised, but Mr. Harper knew that a person in their neighborhood had a critical need for a wheelchair. It turned out that Goodwill did have a wheelchair that they could donate, and today, Mr. Harper recalls the joy of giving to a neighbor in need as one of his proudest memories.

Mr. Harper credits his parents, Ruth and Henry Harper, for inspiring him the desire to serve others. He describes his parents as people who served their community in all that they did. From coaching little league to styling kids’ hair in the community, his parents always sought opportunities to donate their time and resources to those who needed them.

After Mr. Harper graduated 1969 from Carver High School, he joined the Air Force. He describes his story as simple, yet the impacts of his contributions to his community can be seen worldwide.

While serving in the military, Henry was stationed at multiple bases throughout the United States and at The Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Force Base, known today as the Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Navy Base. While in Thailand, Mr. Harper worked closely with the Royal Thai Police on town patrol. Mr. Harper fondly looks back on the experience and acknowledges that, at one time, it inspired him to become a police officer; however, his interests shifted shortly after retiring from the military.

In 1977, Mr. Haper joined the R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company and worked there for the next thirty years. When he started working there, he was a material handler, but eventually, he became a forklift operator and then went on to become a truck driver. During Mr. Harper’s time in the military, he learned a lot about safety, driving occupational vehicles, and mentoring younger workers. Although he became an adept truck driver, he speaks of his time at the company as a remarkable opportunity to teach and mentor young drivers until they had the driving skills they needed to be successful in their roles.

After retiring, Mr. Harper owned his own business for several years but consistently sought ways to continue to give to his community. He speaks of how John F. Kennedy, Jr. and Barack Obama served as inspirations to him and reminded him of the importance of giving back to your country in all that you do.

He has shown that dedication to the United States through his continued support of organizations like the American Red Cross and the United Way. Despite being on call 24 hours a day and helping community members by serving as an emergency response volunteer, he maintains that he is not a hero. To him, a hero is a single parent working multiple jobs to make ends meet and provide for their kids. It is the teacher who spends their salary to help kids with their education and counsels and champions those kids despite having few resources. It is the veteran who gave up their body fighting for this country.

Mr. Harper does not serve for glory or recognition; instead, he wants to give back to his country in all he does. The selfless dedication that Mr. Harper shows makes this hero deserving of the Salute to Heros Award.