TOLEDO – West Toledoan Justin Scott Slater was publicly recognized for his extraordinary heroism during a recent Toledo City Council meeting.
Outside of council chambers, after receiving awards and accolades for his above and beyond reaction to a woman drowning in the Maumee River, Slater spoke candidly with the press.
“I didn’t do what I did for this,” Slater said, motioning towards the resolution by city council, 390-25, and the Carnegie Medal presented by Secretary of the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission, Eric P. Zahren.
“I did what I did because I felt it was right in my heart,” Slater said.
Overwhelmed by the appreciation shown by council and the community, including a standing ovation, Slater was forced to admit that saving the woman from drowning, “It kind of is a big deal, and I never thought in a million years I would be here today.”
A number of years ago, Slater said, “ [I] broke my hip and femur, so I was told I may never walk correctly again.”
During the July 31 early morning fishing session with his father, he thought quickly on his feet, and that injury flashed through his mind.
“That was my little hesitation point in doing all this, and jumping in the water.”
At 2 a.m. that day, Slater said he was about to call it a night after fishing with his father, but then the construction contractor heard a splash.
“The lady was screaming for help, and my dad called 911.”
A few moments later, the police arrived, but they informed him the water was the Coast Guard’s jurisdiction. In that moment, Slater realized that in order for the police to do anything, they’d have to take off all their equipment, and that would take too long. Slater made a split second decision.
“I was advised by three different police officers not to jump in the water, that she’d pull me under. I guess somebody died nine hours before that,” he said. “I knew she didn’t have the time for the coast guard and dive team specialist.”
And so Slater acted.
“Everybody turned around for a second, and I jumped in the water and swam there. I knew I was in the right direction, and I just kept swimming.” When he got to her, the woman had passed out.
“Once I got to her, she was not breathing. I got behind her, and I tried to squeeze her to see if I could get her to cough up water,” and then Slater backpedaled the woman to land where emergency crews intercepted the two of them.
“Any life is important. People don’t realize how important one life is,” Slater said, noting that he’d lost loved ones in his own life.
“The most important thing to me is that lady’s here with me. Yeah, that’s it. That’s the only outcome I was looking for.”
Toledo City Council Member John Hobbs III, District 1, and Carrie Hartman, the president of Council At-Large, sponsored the resolution to honor Slater.
“For his courageous actions, Justin Scott Slater is getting honored,” read Julie Gibbons, the clerk of council, as she recounted the 195 feet Slater swam to rescue the woman who was drowning.
Zahren walked to the podium in front of council with Slater. There Zahren explained the Carnegie Medal and Hero Commission existed “so that heroes and their actions and sacrifice are never forgotten,” and to propagate, “a more hopeful future, a future of quality care and humanity and an increased faith in each other.”
“So thank you Justin for doing just that at a time that it’s desperately needed.”
For a second time, an account of Slater’s deeds was read, this time by Zahren. Then Zahren presented Slater with the Carnegie Medal and City Council gave Slater a standing ovation.
Hobbs congratulated Slater: “Words cannot express what you’ve done.”
