INDIANAPOLIS -- It takes a kind person to help someone in need, but it truly takes a hero to be there for someone that is beyond help.
One week ago, a bicyclist was run down and left for dead in Lawrence, but a complete stranger made sure he did not die alone.
On January 11, 54-year-old Mervin Smith was run over by 23-year-old Christopher Spells.
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"He was probably very cold. It was snow-covered. And obviously he had been involved in a horrible accident, but he at least wasn't alone," Lawrence Chief of Police David Hofmann said.
Smith didn't make it, but Brian Carter, a nurse on his way home, stopped anyway.
"I just did what I was trained to do without even thinking," Canter said.
Canter compassionately covered Smith with a blanket so he would not be cold, so he would not die alone.
"I felt like that was the right thing to do. God forbid that ever happened to me I would hope somebody would treat me with the same respect," Canter said.
Wednesday night, Lawrence gave Carter a Citizen's Commendation Award.
For being the silver lining in a sad story, for being a good human.
"I am honored, I'm truly honored," Carter said.
Canter has been a nurse for 25 years now. He said he feels the career chose him, instead of him choosing it.
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