Hometown Hero: Sixth-Grader Saves Toddler's Life

GAITHERSBURG, MD — A sixth-grader from Gaithersburg received the AAA School Safety Patrol Lifesaving Medal on Friday for stopping a toddler from getting hit by a car.

Cortlynn Graham, of Gaithersburg Middle School, is one of four students in the U.S. to get the Lifesaver Award for the 2019-2020 academic year.

"The AAA School Safety Patrol Lifesaving Medal is the highest award given to a Patroller. Recipients are select Patrollers who, while on duty, have saved the life of a person in imminent danger," AAA said in a statement.

On the morning of Jan. 29, 2020, Cortlynn Graham — then a fifth grade AAA Safety Patrol at Strawberry Knoll Elementary School — was on duty at the parents drop-off loop when she saw an unattended toddler run toward traffic.

Cortlynn left her post on the sidewalk and caught the toddler just as she was stepping into the road, said eyewitness and Strawberry Knoll teacher Janine Howard.

"The little girl had already ran before me before I realized what was happening. She had one foot off the curb and was about to run in front of a car that had just dropped off their child," recalled Howard. "The car was beginning to move as Cortlynn pulled the little girl back."

According to officials, Graham's actions prevented the toddler from being struck by a Dodge pickup truck.

"The driver of the pickup truck, unaware of the near catastrophic situation, drove away from the scene, and has yet to be identified," said Montgomery County Police Officer John C. Johnson.

Johnson, who was instrumental in nominating Graham for AAA's Lifesaver Award, said her actions reflect greatly on herself and the values of a safety patroller.

Strawberry Knoll Elementary teacher and AAA Safety Patrol Advisor Patrick Corey commended Graham, calling her actions unselfish and courageous.

"Cortlynn's unselfish reactions and poise and courage under fire stopped a tragic crash from happening during the school year," Corey said. "I credit her Patrol training for saving a life. Her actions were exemplary."