By: Sharonne Hayes

The room was filled with the unmistakable glow of safety yellow—a sea of reflective jackets worn by Charlotte Department of Transportation employees, gathered shoulder to shoulder. Laughter rippled through the crowd. So did pride.

At the center of it all stood Reginald LaMon.

As his name was called, cheers erupted…but not for “Reginald.” They called out the name most everyone there knew him by.

“Koolaid!”

It was the kind of moment that said everything before he ever spoke: this was one of their own. A man well known, well liked, and deeply respected. And on this day, in front of his peers, ‘Koolaid’ was being honored for something extraordinary.

During a recent Charlotte DOT meeting, the American Red Cross presented LaMon with its very special Certificate of Merit, one of the organization’s highest civilian Lifesaving Awards. The recognition marked a moment of deep pride—not just for LaMon, but for the entire CDOT family that had gathered to witness it.

Though LaMon now serves the public at Charlotte Douglas International Airport, his roots with the Charlotte Department of Transportation run deep. Years of service, years of friendships—and a moment a couple of years ago that no one in the room would forget.

Because many of them also knew the man whose life he saved.

The Moment That Changed Everything

The story began on what should have been an ordinary workday serving the Charlotte metro.

LaMon was still with CDOT at the time, serving as a concrete crew chief. He and a coworker—Billy—were outside the work facility, having lunch and watching as trucks moved in and out.

“He was eating, we were talking—everything was normal,” LaMon recalled. “Then he stopped. He couldn’t talk anymore.”

Billy was choking.

“I’ve never seen a man turn red like that,” LaMon said. “From his neck all the way up to his ears. I said, ‘Oh Lord,’ and jumped out of the truck.”

In an instant, training—and instincts—took over.

LaMon had been through American Red Cross Adult First Aid, CPR and AED training multiple times over the years—through work, and even earlier during his service in the U.S. Navy. He didn’t pause to think through steps or sequences.

“You don’t have time for that,” he said. “Your body just reacts.”

Billy was still seated and restrained by his seatbelt when LaMon began striking him between the shoulder blades, trying to clear the obstruction. The seconds went by, and Billy began to lose consciousness.

“I was yelling for help the whole time,” LaMon said. “People were coming in and out of the building, but nobody came out that door. I couldn’t leave him, so I just kept going.”

Then, finally, Billy responded. The airway cleared. He could breathe.

“He looked at me, eyes watering,” LaMon said. “I told him, ‘Just spit it out. Don’t worry about anything else.’”

Emergency responders arrived soon after—but the critical moment had already passed. Because LaMon stepped in, Billy went home alive that day.

“He got to see his family again,” LaMon said quietly. “That’s what matters.”

When Training Becomes Instinct

Steve Whitten, Safety Manager for Charlotte DOT and a Red Cross-certified instructor, had taught the class LaMon took and knew both employees well. Watching one of his trainees save a life left a lasting impression.

“One of the biggest things we teach is not to be afraid to act,” Whitten said. “You might not remember every step, but your brain remembers enough. If you just do something, the rest usually kicks in. But if you panic and don’t do anything, there’s no way you can help.”

Whitten, who became a certified CPR instructor when he joined the city in 2010 and later continued his Red Cross training, emphasized that these skills are often used closer to home than people expect.

“You’re much more likely to use CPR and First Aid at home with loved ones and friends,” he said. “Emergencies can happen anywhere. And trust me, you’ll feel good about yourself if you know those skills and can apply them when it matters most.”

Even so, Whitten was quick to redirect praise.

“I take very little credit,” he said. “I’m just incredibly happy that ‘Koolaid’ was there in that moment.”

Recognition with Purpose

Local Red Cross leaders say that’s exactly why the Lifesaving Awards program exists.

“The highest honor the Red Cross can give is recognizing individuals who step up to save a life,” said Jason Gudzunas, Executive Director of the American Red Cross North Carolina Region. “Reginald acted because he felt confident and empowered by the training. We hope stories like this inspire others to get trained, and to believe they have the power to help.”

The American Red Cross Lifesaving Awards program has honored heroic actions for more than a century. Since its revival in 2018, thousands of people worldwide have been recognized for using Red Cross training to save or sustain a life in an emergency.

Anyone can nominate a lifesaver—coworkers, supervisors, emergency responders, or community members—by submitting a nomination through the Red Cross. Details about the program and how to nominate can be found at redcross.org.

Carrying It Forward

Standing in front of a sea of encouragement and support, LaMon accepted the recognition with humility, his trademark warmth and joking nature never far from the surface. Today, his public service continues at Charlotte Douglas International Airport, where safety and readiness remain part of daily life.

But for him, the lesson is simple and personal.