25 Real-Life Heroes We Want To Meet

Posted by , Updated on March 25, 2024

During tough times, it’s comforting to know that there are bona fide heroes amongst us. Undeniably, the world can be a harsh and relentless place to inhabit. However, it’s encouraging to witness people performing acts of kindness or selflessness, particularly when it’s not straightforward. For many of us, it can be quite a stretch to lend a helping hand, but even the tiniest gestures of goodwill can have a great impact. There are those who go the extra mile to support others, dedicating countless hours towards community service, or even braving dangerous situations to rescue someone at risk. Here, we will showcase such extraordinary individuals. These people inject us with hope, proving that there’s still some worthwhile good in the world that deserves our effort. Now, let’s get to know 25 Real-Life Heroes We Are Keen To Meet.

25

Isiah Francis & Jeremiah Grimes

1200px-Clandon_House_fireSource: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/florida-boys-rescue-toddlers-from-burning-home/

Ten-year-old Isiah Francis and 11-year-old Jeremiah Grimes rushed in to a neighbor’s home when it caught fire to rescue anyone they could. With the smoke in their eyes and the fire surrounding them they were scared, but they kept going. The two kids managed to save two of the four kids that were inside before the fire department arrived.

Isiah stated in an interview that he wants to be fireman when he grows up. Your on your way, Isiah.

24

Rebecca

evening joggerSource: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/jogger-rescues-2-kids-from-massachusetts-reservoir/

A New York jogger going only by her first name of Rebecca managed to save two kids when their stroller rolled into the Brookline Reservoir. Being a former lifeguard, Rebecca wasted no time jumping in and pulling the kids to safety before they took to much water.

Thanks Rebecca, wherever you are.

23

Ina Koeing

inaSource: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2172000/Hero-teacher-jumps-80ft-save-boy-3-drowning-keeping-afloat-TWO-HOURS-nearly-dies-herself.html

Kindergarten teacher Ina Koeing jumped down a 75ft mine shaft that a student had just fallen down. The shaft dated back to the middle ages and had been flooded. Ina managed to keep her students head above water but she was struggling to stay afloat herself.

She waded in the near freezing water for two hours before they were rescued. Ina then refused interviews with the media saying, “I am not a hero. I did what any human being would do.”

22

Liang Lee

Bars_On_Window_(2587565461)Source: https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/2080016/incredible-moment-real-life-hero-scales-building-with-bare-bands-to-rescue-child-dangling-by-his-neck/

When Liang Lee saw a toddler dangling from a high rise apartment building in Liaocheng, China, he wasted no time in climbing up the building to save the child. The child had gotten his head caught between the bars of a window cage and was barely moving when Liang got to him.

Bystanders called emergency services as they watched on, eventually a man from a lock company arrived and opened the door of the child’s home. Liang and the locksmith safely got the child back into the third floor room.

21

Chris Pollack

dark guardianSource: https://theculturetrip.com/north-america/usa/new-york/articles/the-real-life-superheroes-defending-new-york-citys-streets/

Not all heroes look like superheroes, but this one does.

32 year old Staten Island native Chris Pollak has operated as the vigilante “Dark Guardian” in New York for nearly 15 years. For these past 15 years, Chris has hunted and taken down drug gangs throughout New York.

20

Cole Farrand

coleSource: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/cole-farrand-former-giants-player-saves-man-from-roof-of-burning-home/

Former New York Giants linebacker Cole Farrand awoke to the smell of smoke coming from the house next door. Cole rushed to help the man he saw on the roof of the building. With the use of an extension, Cole saved the man from the inferno. The fire was no joke; it took several hours for firefighter to contain it.

19

Robin Emmons

robinSource: http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/cnn.heroes/2013.heroes/robin.emmons.html

Before you ask, no, Robin is not on this list because we share name (but it doesn’t hurt). Robin has actually done quite a lot of volunteer work providing fresh food, that she’s grown herself, for homeless people in her community.

She started it after discovering that her local homeless shelter could only provided canned foods.

What started as something she did herself, she now has over 200 volunteers helping her and she one day hopes to grow her organization to national level.

18

Dean LaBarba

deanSource: https://www.nadadventist.org/news/loma-linda-university-graduate-went-watching-inflight-movie-real-life-hero

Two hours into a twelve hour flight from Zurich to L.A., Dean noticed a fellow passenger collapse after saying “she didn’t feel well.” Dean had recently received his doctorate so he knew exactly what to do. He managed to restart the women’s heart and save her life. LaBarba said he was the only physician aboard the plane flight that carried more than 300 passengers that day.

17

Leo Moody

moodySource: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/maine-man-saves-baby-after-out-of-control-suv-rolls-into-water/

Leo moody helped save an infant from drowning when he crawled into a car that was upside-down in water and used a knife to cut the straps off her car seat and pull her out. The baby wasn’t breathing and another bystander performed CPR, reviving the girl. Leo was driving home from work Monday when he saw the flipped SUV in the water.

 

16

Robert Renning

robert renningSource: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/motorist-rescues-man-from-burning-suv-in-minnesota/

Robert Renning was heading southbound when he noticed a vehicle on fire nearby. He was able to get driver Michael Johannes’ attention and both vehicles pulled over. “I could see the flames coming out from underneath the car on the way back,” Renning said. The SUV locked as soon as the car pulled over, Robert acted quickly and pulled the door of the car open with his bare hands.

15

Donald Carson

DonaldSource: https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/he-rescued-a-dazed-woman-from-her-car-minutes-before-it-explodes/

Donald Carson was on his way home from work when he spotted a vehicle collision on the road. One of the drivers was dazed and didn’t realize that the car was catching flames. Donald made a quick U-turn and pulled her to safety. Soon after, law enforcement arrived and the car exploded.

14

Cray Turmon

cofSource: https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/heroic-homeless-man-comes-defense-female-cop-something-done/

An assailant involved in a gas station robbery overpowered a police officer. When the assailant pulled out a knife, Cray Turmon knew he had to do something or someone would get hurt, possibly even die. He wrestled the robber to the ground, helping Officer Hardesty put handcuffs on him.

13

Clayton Cook

ClaytonSource: https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/groom-jumps-into-river-mid-photoshoot-to-save-drowning-child/

Clayton Cook was in the middle of a wedding photo shoot when his wife Brittany noticed a small boy who had fallen into a river nearby. Clayton noticed that the boy was having a hard time keeping his head above water. So, he jumped into the river, expensive suit and all, and rescued the boy.

12

Allyn Pierce

AllynSource: https://people.com/human-interest/see-the-moment-a-nurse-drives-through-flames-to-help-patients-during-deadly-california-wildfire/

During the recent California wildfires, there were several heroic acts of people saving animals and people. Allyn Pierce, a nurse who got caught in the fires in his truck, turned his truck around into the flames to rescue patients from a burning hospital. Allyn’s truck was destroyed, but Toyota was happy to replace it upon reading about his experience.

11

Roman Lopez

RomanSource: https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/ramon-lopez-helps-victims-bomb-explosion-blast-chelsea-manhattan_us_57dff3d4e4b0071a6e084e29

During the Manhattan bombing in 2016, Roman Lopez initially retreated from the danger. Once he reached safety, he turned back around and ran to the scene to save anyone he could. He managed to get a few of the 29 injured people to medical attention.

10

Jeremy Berish

berishSource: https://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2014/06/05/man-being-hailed-hero-after-pulling-woman-from-fiery-crash/

“I was in bed, heard scrapping, an impact, looked out of my window, saw tail lights where there should not have been tail lights, and knew it was a car accident,” said Jeremy Berish, who rescued a woman from a burning car. “I saw a little flash of fire coming from under the car,” he said. As soon as Berish pulled her out of the car it was fully engulfed in flames.

9

Douglas Kern

dougSource: https://www.climbing.com/people/everyday-hero-ii-the-king-of-spotters/

Asha Nanda was rock-climbing in Colorado when her safety line broke and she began to plummet to the ground. Reports say that only two seconds passed as she fell towards the ground, but Douglas Kern noticed Asha’s screaming and ran beneath her to break her fall. Douglas got under her in time to break the fall. It was a heroic act for sure but both people involved were lucky to not get injured.

8

Kevin McKay

kevinSource: https://www.cnn.com/2018/11/18/us/wildfire-school-bus-rescue/index.html

During The Camp Fire in California two dozen students were left stranded at school. Which left Kevin McKay, a bus driver who’d only recently taken the job, to ferry the 22 kids to safety. He and two other kindergarten teachers managed to make sure the kids were safe.

 

7

Jim Sherman

jimSource: https://nfb.org/images/nfb/publications/bm/bm06/bm0607/bm060714.htm

 Jim Serman is blind. Remember that. He heard his neighbor call out for help and rushed to her rescue, pulling the eighty-four-year-old woman from her burning home in Texas. His neighbor is also blind. Jim navigated a chain link fence to get to the house, when he reached the door he heard crackling and smelled smoke. He knew the house was on fire but he went in anyway to save his neighbor.

I’ll repeat something. Jim Sherman is blind! The guy ran into a burning building to save someone and couldn’t see where he was going. What a guy. Good on you, Jim.

6

Peter Hanne

peter hanneSource: http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/662486/Teen-hero-rescues-teetering-truck-driver

18 year old Peter Hanne saved a man from a truck that was teetering on the edge of a bridge in Georgia. Peter acted quickly and pulled the man from the 22 tonne truck just before it fell off the side of the side of the bridge.

5

Tilly Smith

tillySource: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk/4229392.stm

Most things you learn in school you think you won’t ever be useful to you, and admittedly most times your right. But this isn’t the case for 11 year old Tilly Smith who remembered something she learned in a geography lesson about tsunamis that saved an entire beach of tourists in Phuket, Thailand. She noticed the signs first and convinced her parents to believe her which managed to save the entire beach. A lot of people died because of that Tsunami, but none on Tilly’s beach.

4

James Shaw Jr.

James ShawSource: https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/crime/2018/04/22/waffle-house-shooting-hero-stopped-shooter/540061002/

James wrestled a gun away from a shooter after they open fired on a Waffle House restaurant. He was credited with saving a whole lot of people in that Waffle House.

3

Hiroshi Nomura

hiroshiSource: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/japan-floods-hero-20-lives-saved-in-a-blow-up-boat-10531946

After the most torrential rain fell on Mabi town in Kurashiki, Hiroshi Nomura took an inflatable boat he had in his car and rushed to his parents house to see if they were safe. He eventually got a phone call from his father who told Hiroshi that they had already been rescued. He could’ve turned around and gone back to dry land, but instead, he paddled through the flood and saved as many lives as he could.

 

2

Tamara Loiselle

TamaraSource: https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/life/inspirational-stories/a39076/i-risked-my-life-to-save-two-strangers/

After seeing two heads bobbing out in the ocean, Tamara swam into deep waters to save them. The two individuals in peril had swam past warning flags and were pulled into a deadly riptide, but that didn’t stop Tamara from swimming out to help them. The lifeguards that were looking on thought it was a suicide mission but they were relieved when Tamara returned with both of them rescued. Take that, Aquaman!

1

David Phung

David PhungSource: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/lousiana-woman-saved-from-certain-death-during-flooding-reunited-with-rescuer/

53 year old Haley Brouillette was on her way to pick up medication when she got caught in the 2016 flood that rocked Louisiana. As the water spilled into the car that she was driving, she was afraid for her own life and the life of her dog that she had with her.

That’s when David Phung took the plunge into the raging waters to save her. David managed to not only save Haley but also her dog Sassy from certain death. When asked he said, “It’s just who we are in Louisiana — we help people in times of need.”



Photo: Featured Image - Shutterstock, 1. Andrew Smith, Flooded car park, Loddon Bridge - geograph.org.uk - 504330, CC BY-SA 2.0, 2. Daniel Schwen, Baker Beach 2, CC BY-SA 4.0, 3. Jocelyn Augustino, FEMA - 36456 - Aerial of a partially flooded town in Missouri, marked as public domain, more details on Wikimedia Commons, 4. Yonikasz, Waffle House Sign, CC BY-SA 4.0, 5. anonymous, TsunamiHazardZone, CC BY-SA 3.0, 6. Memtgs, Truck on South Grand Island Bridge, CC BY 3.0, 7. SpeedyEJL, Port Washinton Fire Department Fighting House Fire September 2011, CC BY-SA 3.0, 8. Bureau of Land Management, Wildfire in California, marked as public domain, more details on Wikimedia Commons, 9. Ptahhotep, KarpaSvNikolaOhrid, CC BY-SA 4.0, 10. Mstyslav Chernov/Unframe/http://www.unframe.com/, Car put on fire in the barricade line as clashes in Kyiv, Ukraine. Events of February 18, 2014-2, CC BY-SA 3.0, 11. Kcdtsg, LowerManhattan, marked as public domain, more details on Wikimedia Commons, 12. Andrea Booher, FEMA - 33311 - Fire crew member fighting Poomacha wildfire in California, marked as public domain, more details on Wikimedia Commons, 13. Christian Ferrer / Wikimedia Commons / cc-by-sa-4.0, Hérault River, Agde 09, CC BY-SA 4.0, 14. Sry85, Esso gas station on Petchburi road, Thailand, CC BY-SA 4.0, 15. anonymous, Explosions, marked as public domain, more details on Wikimedia Commons, 16. Tony Webster from Portland, Oregon, United States, BMW Car Fire (1623328784), CC BY 2.0, 17. Mesubrata hi, Car water splash, CC BY-SA 4.0, 18. Anynobody, KAL007747-2 (2), CC BY-SA 4.0, 19. Don McCulley, Iowa farm IMG 1419, CC0 1.0, 20. Stormingorman17, House Fire, CC BY-SA 4.0, 21. Veneziano, MaskedCensorBarnstar, CC BY-SA 3.0, 22. Rob Young from United Kingdom, Bars On Window (2587565461), CC BY 2.0, 23. Peter Craine, Mine shaft near Ffrith - geograph.org.uk - 207663, CC BY-SA 2.0, 24. Ernst Vikne from Skien, Norway, Evening jogger (4488221416), CC BY-SA 2.0, 25. Colin Smith, Clandon House fire, CC BY 2.0