Hero in duck boat rescue to receive national honor
The Philadelphia Police detective who rescued some of the tourists thrown overboard in the duck boat accident last summer will be among three unsung heroes to be recognized nationally with “Citizen Service Before Self” honors Friday.
Detective Timothy Brooks rescued Lisa Ashery, her daughter, Lily, and two other children July 7, 2010, after the duck boat and a barge collided. Two tourists died in the accident.
Brooks, who was off duty at the time of the collision, raced to the scene, then dived into the Delaware. “He swam back and forth against that current, I don’t know how many times,” said Lisa Ashery.
While Brooks insists that he’s no hero, 6abc.com reports that the honor bestowed by the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation will has a special significance for Brooks, a third-generation police officer.
Friday marks the first anniversary of his father’s death.
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