When we think of heroes, we picture firefighters running into a burning building, a police officer protecting a citizen, or a soldier who goes above the call of duty to save his fellow warriors.

Well, there are also other types of heroes, everyday people that do that one unselfish act that saves a life or lives. John Crosby is such a hero, and we salute him and his bravery.

Monday morning, Crosby was driving towards Mandeville on the Causeway, when he came across a car stopped in the roadway. Then the door of the car opened up, a man dashed out and jumped over the railing into Lake Pontchartrain. Crosby immediately sprang into action. He stopped his truck, got out, and jumped in after the man. Using lifesaving methods learned in his youth, Crosby was able to hold the man’s head above water until a Causeway police officer showed up with floatation devices. The officer, Tate Gallow also jumped over the side of the bridge to lend a hand. All three were pulled from the water. The unidentified man who leaped into the lake is in a local hospital for observation, but he is alive, thanks to the quick action of Crosby.

Crosby, a local contractor in Mandeville said later that he could not have lived with himself if he had done nothing. What is amazing is that with no thought of his own safety, Crosby leaped into the water not knowing what would happen.

Now, we do not recommend that everybody do this. Mr. Crosby was in good shape, and is a runner, and some of us may not be up to the challenge. But it is satisfying to know that there are people in this world who are willing to do what it takes to save a life. It restores our faith in humanity. With all the bad things going on in the world such as wars, murder, and abuse, it is good to know that there are people who know how precious life is, and are willing to preserve it, no matter the cost to themselves. Except for his childhood training, Crosby does not have any special skills in saving lives. That did not matter. He saw that someone’s life was in danger and he responded. We hope the man he saved realizes how much he owes a stranger.

Thank you John Crosby for a job well done.