Father-son duo win Westfield’s Lifesaving Citizen Award

Westfield Mayor Scott Willis and the City Council honored David Fisher and his son, Felix, with the Lifesaving Citizen Award at Monday’s council meeting.

The Fishers were honored for their courageous actions in rescuing a 19-year-old man and a dog who had fallen into icy waters on Dec. 14, 2024.

The rescue began when Felix heard a man yelling for help and alerted his father. The two rushed into action by pulling the man and the dog to safety with ropes. After the rescue, the Fishers took the man and the dog into their home to warm themselves and wait for first responders to arrive.

“I’ve always known that Westfield is filled with brave, kind-hearted people, but what David and Felix did is absolutely remarkable,” Mayor Willis said. “Their courageous actions are the definition of what it looks like to care for your neighbor. We are proud to honor them with this well-deserved award.”

Westfield Fire Chief Rob Gaylor added, “Stories like these don’t always have a positive outcome. My department and I are extremely grateful to David and Felix for their quick-thinking and selfless actions that day.”