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PITTSBURGH -- Stephanie Davis says she owes her life to John Daley. Last October, she was the victim of a savage attack by two pit bulls. Daley, a Verizon services technician in East Liberty, was working in her neighborhood, heard her screams and ran to her rescue.
In recognition of his heroic deed, Daley, a resident of Greensburg, has been awarded the Verizon Heroism Award, the highest honor given by Verizon to an employee for an act of exceptional public service.
Amy McDevitt, president of national operations for Verizon's Mid-Atlantic region, yesterday presented Daley the bronze medal and a citation at a luncheon ceremony in Bloomfield attended by Daley's family, friends and co-workers.
"John's selfless actions put a stranger's safety above his own," said McDevitt. "His exceptional resourcefulness and courage symbolize the true spirit of the Verizon Heroism Medal."
While working in Hazelwood on Oct. 18, Daley heard a woman's screams for help several blocks away. He ran toward the screams, jumped over a row of hedges, and saw Davis, cornered in her back yard by two pit bulls biting and tearing at her clothing. As he moved toward her to help, the dogs started in his direction.
Realizing that every second was crucial, Daley ran to his truck and retrieved a pole used to raise telephone lines. He rushed back to Davis' back yard and beat the dogs off with the pole.
As the dogs backed away, Daley yelled for Davis to run into her house. The severely injured woman crawled inside as Daley continued to distract the dogs with the pole. Once the dogs were safely out of the yard, Daley ran into the house to check on Davis' condition and to summon help.
Davis, who has two artificial knees and suffers from severe arthritis, suffered a fractured left ankle and deep puncture wounds to her arms, hands, legs and stomach. She underwent two surgeries and received rabies vaccinations. Davis thanked Daley for rescuing her at yesterday's luncheon.
The Verizon Heroism Award recognizes employees for outstanding acts of public service that demonstrate courage, initiative, good judgment, resourcefulness and accomplishment.
Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) is one of the world's leading providers of communications services. Verizon companies are the largest providers of wireline and wireless communications in the United States, with 133.8 million access line equivalents and approximately 29.6 million wireless customers. Verizon is also the largest directory publisher in the world. With more than $67 billion in annual revenues and nearly 248,000 employees, Verizon's global presence extends to more than 40 countries in the Americas, Europe, Asia and the Pacific. For more information on Verizon, visit www.verizon.com.
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