At just 10 years old, Elijah Ransome wore neither a uniform nor carried a badge as he sat amongst dozens of veteran Victoria, Saanich and RCMP police officers. Nonetheless, he was hailed as a hero by those who regularly risk their lives in the service of others.
Elijah was presented with a citizenB次元官网网址檚 commendation by Victoria police Chief Constable Jamie Graham on Wednesday in Esquimalt during the Victoria Police DepartmentB次元官网网址檚 third annual Honours Ceremony.
Six commendations were presented to 37 Victoria and RCMP officers.
Vic West resident Phaedra Matus was also honoured for stopping a suicidal woman from jumping off the Bay Street Bridge Dec. 7, 2011.
Four days after that incident, Elijah, then nine, lay in his bed waiting for his mom, Janice Jensen, to turn off his bedroom light. It was their usual nightly routine, but she did not come. And when he called for her, there was no answer.
Elijah went looking for her. In the last room he checked, he found his mother laying on the bathroom floor.
B次元官网网址淚 thought she was hurt at first, but she didnB次元官网网址檛 have any cuts. I tried to help her up, but she kept on falling,B次元官网网址� he said.
As his mom lay moaning on the floor, loosely grasping the towel rack sheB次元官网网址檇 ripped from the wall as she fell, Elijah, who has no first-aid training, felt for her pulse.
B次元官网网址淪he wasnB次元官网网址檛 quite unconscious. She was slipping into unconsciousness,B次元官网网址� the Grade 4 South Park elementary student said, not knowing then that his mother was having a seizure. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 kind of scary to see your mom in that state.B次元官网网址�
Elijah raced to a neighbourB次元官网网址檚 for help. Ambulance, police and fire were called.
In going for help, he saw to his motherB次元官网网址檚 well-being, as well as the safety of his four-year-old brother Cole, still sound asleep inside the family home.
Jensen, having grown up witnessing her own mother suffer epileptic seizures, was impressed by her sonB次元官网网址檚 maturity and quick thinking.
B次元官网网址淓ven if you do know what it is, itB次元官网网址檚 scary when youB次元官网网址檙e a little kid,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址�(This was) a pretty big thing for a guy who was nine.B次元官网网址�
Members of the police departmentB次元官网网址檚 honours committee were equally impressed with ElijahB次元官网网址檚 initiative and bravery.
B次元官网网址淗is actions are a reflection of his commitment and love for his family, and serve as an example of excellence to the community,B次元官网网址� said Mark MacIntyre, VicPDB次元官网网址檚 public affairs director, who emceed the event.
Elijah disagreed.
B次元官网网址淚 did what any other person would do,B次元官网网址� he said, smiling shyly.
emccracken@vicnews.com
