The City of Portland recognized the heroism of ILWU Local 8 Longshore worker Jim Daw, pictured here with his parents Viola and Thomas Daw.
Late last summer, Local 8 longshore worker Jim Daw was driving to work at the Port of Portland when he saw a woman being attacked beside the road. Without hesitation, Daw stopped his pick-up and approached the struggle.
Daw saw that the woman, who was working in her job as a Portland police officer at the time, was overpowered by a suspect who was clearly out of control. Daw twice pulled the man off from the woman and restrained him until additional law enforcement arrived at the scene and made an arrest.
On January 26, the city recognized Daw’s heroism by giving him the 2009 Civilian Heroism Medal in front of an audience of several hundred people.
“Quite a few people saw what was going on, but Jim was the only one who was willing to get involved and put his safety on the line,” said Gordon Guendell, an off-duty Washington State Trooper who saw the struggle at the scene and stopped to help. “Without Jim, it would have been a lot harder to get the suspect under control.”
After the ceremony, several people personally thanked Daw, including Portland Police Chief Rosie Sizer, who said, “If I were in the field, I’d want you to be with me.”
Daw downplayed the recognition by saying that his actions were “not a big deal,” but his parents, Viola and Local 8 pensioner Thomas Daw,
thought otherwise.
“I am proud,” said Mrs. Daw. “He’s a good kid.”