Branson citizen Shane Childress was recognized with the “You’ve Been Caught Doing Something Good” award on Tuesday because of his rapid action to rescue a family.

Branson Mayor Larry Milton presented Childress with the award during Tuesday evening’s Board of Aldermen meeting. “Shane is receiving this award because of his historic actions to help rescue a family, including a baby, from a fiery car crash,” Milton said. The mayor highlighted Childress’ fast response to witnessing a crash.

“After seeing the crash, he immediately, and without hesitation, helped a woman and an infant get out of their car which was on fire. He also helped the driver who was severely injured get out of the car and to safety,” he said. Childress didn’t stop there.

Milton said that when emergency responders came on scene, Childress “used three fire extinguishers to try to put out the fire” and helped a fourth person to safety. The mayor also said Childress went “above and beyond” in his helpful efforts; he commented on Childress putting others before himself.

“Shane is a great example of a member of the Branson community who thinks of others before himself to help keep our community safe,” the mayor said. Branson Assistant Police Chief Eric Schmitt said Childress did more than assist.

“What this gentleman did was truly just heroic. He didn’t just assist; he went into a car that was fully engulfed in smoke, and that’s very, very nasty stuff if you’ve never been around actual fire smoke,” Schmitt said. He emphasized Childress' important move to keep the vehicle’s door open.

He said Childress had to “force the door open from inside.” He explained why Childress pushing the door open was key to the rescue.

The assistant police chief called Childress “a true hero” and explained that “a severely injured person” wouldn’t have survived had he not forced the door open. Additionally, Schmitt said the car was “fully engulfed about 45 seconds after that.”