Car Salesman Honored For Saving Man’s Life

A car sales representative is being hailed as a hero for helping to save a man’s life.

Walt Young was working at the F.X. Caprara VW & Kia dealership on Route 11 in the town of Watertown Wednesday when he saw a man collapse.

Officials said 69 year old Gerald Stroud of Ohio had a heart attack while he was putting up a large promotional balloon.

Young sprung into action and performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or CPR.

“Certainly yesterday didn’t look good and certainly had Walt not come out here and started CPR it would have been a different outcome,” said Jefferson County Sheriff John Burns.

Stroud was on a ventilator Thursday at Samaritan Medical Center.

His wife said Stroud’s vital signs were good.

Watertown Mayor Jeff Graham and Sheriff Burns honored Young for his actions during a ceremony Thursday.

“I feel like a person who helped another human being survive and if that’s the definition of a hero, then yes, I do feel like a hero,” said Young.

Young was first trained in CPR in the late 1970s.

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Comments

10 Responses to “Car Salesman Honored For Saving Man’s Life”

Chris Karl on May 15th, 2008 6:46 pm

This act only proves to me what a caring, honest person Walt is. I am proud to know him and have him as my “car salesman”. Good Job, Walt!!

Chris
Diane Lindsey on May 15th, 2008 7:39 pm

He has always been a great gentleman He comes from a great military family
BarbLamon on May 15th, 2008 8:26 pm

what a wonderful thing there was someone on hand that knew what to do I certainly think he his being to modest about savingthis mans life walt thank god you were in the right place at the right time.I am sure the mans family thinks of you as a hero .
shelly on May 15th, 2008 11:27 pm

Hey Walt,way to go my friend! You are always in the right place at the right time. Congrat’s, Shelly
sweet-thang on May 15th, 2008 11:53 pm

I bet Burns don’t know CPR……Good job Walt,your son looks just like you…lol
Allison on May 16th, 2008 10:06 pm

well this is just a small question. i am awear of a second person being involved in the saving of the ill man. but i have read nor seen nothing of this other person! could someone please explane why? I believe in giving credit where credit is do, but to share the credit when needed! dont get me wrong thank the good lord this man was givin a second chane at life hopefully, but be honest and share the spot light with others involved! give them the chance to be proud of what they have accomplished also.
Benny on May 17th, 2008 7:06 am

its a blessing that you know cpr,!thank god you were there for this man!
KATIE on May 17th, 2008 9:21 am

walt great job saving that guy’s life! not to mention your pretty good looking too!!!
give me a call sometime!!
Corine Young on May 17th, 2008 11:43 am

Walter constantly warms my heart, and is one of the kindest people I know. That he saved a person’s life again comes as no surprise!
Patti Hawkesworth on May 18th, 2008 2:24 pm

This wonderful act of heroism does not surprise me coming from a man that works for the Capraras. They are friends of mine and it stands to reason they would hire people with such character, since they possess it themselves. Way to go, Walt