BOC honors Krzak for saving man from oncoming train

The younger Fleming remained hospitalized Oct. 27, but Bradley was discharged on Tuesday, Oct. 25, his 26th birthday, and was on hand Thursday night to meet the man who saved his life.

Fleming said he was very grateful for what Mr. Krzak did that morning.

“Our world and country history is full of heroes,” chairman Anthony Dove said after playing the 911 tape. “Some have proven their bravery on the battlefield in defense of country or gave aid to his or her battle mate. Some have gone where others have never gone before. Some have changed the world for the better through new inventions or medicines. Some are every day heroes; police, firefighters, EMS. Some are family; grandparents, parents or siblings. And some are people all around us that have that special quality of caring for his or her fellow man. Norb Krzak is one of those special quality people who by the grace of God was in the right place on Saturday, Oct. 22, 2011. Norb’s heroic act began with a simple act of compassion to help a fellow human being who was in need. I know his family is proud. I know we are proud and honored to recognize Norb and his family tonight. It gives me great comfort after listening to the E-911 tape that the person near my loved ones might be Norb Krzak.”

The dispatchers who worked the call were also recognized for their work that morning
“It also gives me great comfort to know that our citizens and my family in its time of need can call 9-1-1 in Madison County and have access to people like Rita Fulcher, Irene Jordan and Mollie Smith-Reeves,” chairman Anthony Dove said. “E-911 is a high stress job that usually goes unnoticed unless something goes wrong. They never get enough credit for doing the job right 99.99% of the time. We continue to ask them to carry more of the burden on the front end of an emergency. The technology is becoming complex, better and also exciting, but our E-911 dispatchers continue to meet the challenges that are placed upon them. So, right now we take great pride and honor in recognizing them as well.”

Krzak said after the meeting that seeing Fleming made it “all real.”

Following the incident, Krzak went on to his job building a fence in Elberton.

“I really was OK until I got home,” Krzak said.