Riley Burt and some of his family were guests of Cooke County Sheriff Mike Compton and his staff Thursday after the 4-year-old made a 9-1-1 call to get help for his grandfather, Paul Bezner, who was unconscious and lying on the floor of his home near Callisburg.
During the phone call, which lasted about 18 minutes, Riley talks with 9-1-1 dispatcher Amanda King about his grandfather, asking King to send help quickly.
“My Opa fell down,” he told King, “He needs a Band-Aid.”
The 4-year-old talked with King about other things including his siblings while waiting for the ambulance and deputies to arrive.
He reminded her several times to get assistance for his grandfather.
At one point during the phone call he said, “Can you come over here quicker?”
He also asked for an ambulance referring to it as “the van with the different colored flashers on it.”
“Where’s that all-different-colored van? Are you still coming?” he asked King several times.
Compton said he was impressed with Riley’s persistence.
“He never did get rattled. He never lost focus on what he was trying to do,” Compton said.
He said this is his first experience with a small child summoning help from 9-1-1.
Compton gave Riley a certificate and an honorary deputy badge.
During an interview at the sheriff’s office, Riley’s mother Michelle Keen said she works the night shift and was sleeping Feb. 27.
The children including Riley and one of his older brothers were in the care of Riley’s grandparents.
“I was sleeping when all this happened. My father-in-law was there with the boys,” she said.
Keen said she isn’t certain what was wrong with the children’s grandfather.
“They think he choked and had aspirated,” she said.
She said the call to 9-1-1 was a collaborative effort between Riley and his older brother Christopher Burt, 6.
“Christopher called the number and Riley did the talking. It’s usually a team effort,” she said.
She credits Walnut Bend teachers with teaching students about the importance of using the 9-1-1 system.
Her advice to children who call 9-1-1 is to stay on the line until help arrives, she said.
Local News
Sheriff honors 4-year-old that uses 9-1-1 to help grandfather
- Local News
-
-
GMS student takes first place in spelling bee
A sixth-grader at Gainesville Middle School took first place Wednesday at the Cooke County Spelling Bee.
-
Seminar teaches latest in weather spotting practices
Emergency officials gave the public a crash course in severe weather-spotting during Wednesday’s seminar coordinated by the National Weather Service (NWS).
-
NWS fact sheet on storms aids spotters
Wednesday’s storm spotter education class, coordinated by members of the National Weather Service (NWS), included an extensive fact sheet about varieties of storms and the details that can arise.
-
Crisis Shelter Breaks Ground
Heavy equipment can finally get into the construction site of the Abigail’s Arms Family Crisis Shelter after several heavy rains have hit the area.
-
Property, mineral values a mixed bag
A reported boost in statewide property values, which had suffered a slight drop in 2010, suggests ongoing recession recovery
-
Morton Museum hosts Art on Tap Saturday
The Morton Museum of Cooke County is hosting “Art on Tap,” a beer- and-food pairing event featuring the art of Cooke County and portraits from the past from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Saturday inside the Santa Fe Depot in downtown Gainesville.
-
City Council moves rezoning request ahead
The Gainesville City Council voted to schedule a third reading for a rezoning request made by a property owner in the 3000 block of Harris Street.
-
Old School Comes Down
Sections of the deserted Gainesville Junior High School building came down Wednesday, with developers planning to demolish the old school and develop a new Cooke County Boys & Girls Club facility for youth in the region.
-
Workers move ahead on interchange upgrade
Work continues on Interstate 35 frontage roads near West California Street, and officials said a closing of the nearby Star Street Bridge was expected to conclude late Tuesday.
-
Energetic fox trio settle in at zoo
A group of juvenile red foxes are in their new habitat and have apparently taken to their surroundings at the Frank Buck Zoo in Leonard Park.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Denver's Largest-Ever Drug Bust Nets Dozens
Marines: No Punishment for Nazi-like Flag
Vets Look to Translate Military Skills Into Jobs
Expert: Removing LA School's Staff 'Appropriate'
Raw Video: School Bus Burst Into Flames
LA School Reopens Amid Sex Abuse Scandal
$25B Settlement Reached Over Foreclosure Abuses
Pentagon: Allow Women Closer to Front Lines
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States
Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe
Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs
States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration
Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
