More than 47 years ago, a now-retired Dallas firefighter saved a family from their burning home. The Garcia family was recently offered the chance to meet up with the man who saved them from death.
“People need to hear that they’ve made an impact in somebody’s life,” Antonio Garcia told CBS News. “And I wanted him to know that from me.”
In December 1974, Dallas Fire Captain Harold Minter and Fire Rescue Officer Jimmie Hendrix ran into a burning home and saved the lives of two young children in Dallas.
Antonio, who was the first of the three siblings to escape the fire, said that he can remember the exact moment the two firemen came running out with his brother and sister. The two children had been found unconscious in the burning home.
“Through their cries, and yelling, they found where they were, reached in, and got them out of the house,” Antonio explained.
Both firemen received the Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor, the highest decoration for bravery exhibited by public safety officers in the United States.
Through social media, the Garcia family and Captain Minter were recently able to connect and meet again in person.
Suzanne Minter, daughter of Captain Minter, got to witness the former fire captain and the family reunite.
“There’s not really an emotion to describe. It was so many bottled in one, it was happy, happy,” she said. “I was overwhelmed. I felt honored that I’m his daughter and how cool is that, that it all came full circle.”
Suzanne said that after hearing the story firsthand from her father, she had always had more questions.
“I’ve just always wondered in my mind, ‘Did they survive? Are they okay?'” she shared.
They were okay, and as a result, the family was able to thank their hero.
“I wanted him to hear it from us. My mom went over there, my dad, my brother, my sister,” Antonio said. “Because of what he’s done, it’s allowed us to live our lives and has allowed my mother to be 100% who she is because she still has all her three kids.”
“I’ve never seen him smile so deep. It’s a beautiful relationship and it’s something I never dreamed,” Suzanne said.
The Garcia family also wished to connect with rescue officer Jimmie Hendrix, however, he passed away earlier this year. They still hope to thank his family.
