Local Girl Commended for Heroic Act
Mayor Craig Cates, Commissioner Richard Payne and Police Chief Donie Lee joined in commending 18-year old Jerika Rudolph for her recent heroic efforts to help victims escape a car that had crashed into the nearshore water.
On August 24th, Rudolph was driving on South Roosevelt Blvd when she saw a silver SUV veer toward her. She saw the vehicle continue past her lane, jump up on the sidewalk and fly over the seawall. The vehicle crashed upright in the middle of a channel and began drifting with the strong current. Rudolph jumped out of her vehicle and heard a woman shout out for help. She told people nearby to call 911, then immediately plunged into the water to rescue the occupants of the vehicle.
There were three people in the SUV: a man, a woman and an eight-year old child. They struggling to escape by trying to break out the windshield. Despite the current and the fear on the part of the victims, Rudolph was able to pull the woman and the child out of the vehicle and help them safely to dry land. By then, police officers were on scene and helped the man to safety as well.
“Jerika’s fast, selfless response helped divert a terrible tragedy,” Chief Lee wrote in the commendation. “She risked her own safety to ensure that a child and her mother were out of harm’s way. With this decisive action, Jerika sets a standard that all citizens can aspire to.”
Commissioner Payne praised Rudolph’s courageous act, and noted that, during the rescue, she had lost one of her sandals. So, in addition to the City and Police Commendations, Commissioner Payne awarded Rudolph with a gift certificate to Kino Sandals, to replace her lost shoe.
Outstanding! True spirit of the island.
This is directed to the editors. As a retired journalist, I wish to point out, what you should already know:that the young heroic woman — is not a girl. According to the Associated Press style book (as well as NY Times and most all newspapers), anyone 18 or older shall be referred to as a woman or man — not girl or boy. This is a particularly troublesome error, since too often women of every age are referred to as girls, not only in print but verbally as well. To an adult this is demeaning.
Legally you are correct but I do think most people would call her a girl at 18. Not at all sure of her opinion but at 18 many are still in high school or just out. So if she was 17 and turning 18 next week is she a girl ? That is crazy thinking and bit out dated in my opinion. At perhaps 21 then yes time to call her a woman. Even when they are in 30’s she would be called a GIRLFRIEND by most boys or men.