Hercules Hero Honored By City Council

Joseph Trapani said it was a split-second decision.

"I didn't have time to think," recalled the 29-year-old Hercules resident.

On July 20, Trapani was driving toward a golf course about 1:30 p.m. when he noticed a fire raging in a garage at a home on Lupine Road.

Trapani stopped his car, leaped from the vehicle and ran inside the burning house. In a back bedroom, he found Khang Do, an elderly man who speaks no English.

Trapani led Do to safety, then went back inside the house and searched to make sure no one else was inside.

Firefighters arrived shortly afterward and extinguished the blaze in about 40 minutes.

Trapani suffered some burns on his hands and forearms. To him, it was a small price to pay.

"There was no else around to help," he said. "I had to do something."

For his bravery, the Hercules City Council honored Trapani on Tuesday night, presenting him with a proclamation and a plaque.

Mayor John Delgado called it a "gallant act of heroism."

So did Councilwoman Sherry McCoy.

"We're very proud of you," added Vice Mayor Myrna de Vera.

"You're a fine example of a young man," chimed in Councilman Dan Romero. 

"Smoke is a scary place to be," noted Councilman Bill Kelly, a former police officer. "My hat's off to you."

Trapani told the council he found Do in the last room he checked.

"I was just as surprised to see him as he was to see me," said Trapani.

Do was also at the council meeting. His son spoke on his behalf, thanking Trapani for saving the older man.

A dozen members of Trapani's family were also in attendance.

Trapani told the council there are good citizens throughout the town.

He said earlier Tuesday he saw a large tree branch blocking part of a road. As he was trying to remove the heavy object, three teenage girls from Hercules High School stopped and helped him.

"There are a lot of people here who care," Trapani said. "That's what makes this a special community."