An arrested Florida teenager being processed for burglary and a parole violation saved an officer's life in a new video released by Fort Lauderdale police this week.
Jamal Rutledge, 17, can be seen in a police surveillance video sitting with his hands handcuffed behind him while a nearby officer completes paperwork. The officer, identified as 49-year-old Franklin Foulks, then collapsed to the floor and Rutledge kicks the gate and calls for help to save the officer’s life. The video was recorded Sept. 10 but released this week by the station.
Rutledge is now being honored for his actions,
and he told the Sun-Sentinel that he's hoping to change his life.
"I want to write a book about how people do bad things, but they can change their life around," Rutledge told the newspaper.
The teenager told the Sentinel that he knew Foulks, who had worked at his high school as a school resource officer.
"He tried to keep me out of detention and in school," the teen said.
Rutledge's mother, Stacy Miller, told the Sentinel that she was proud to see her son stand up to help Foulkes.
"When I looked at the video, I was glad that he didn't get up and run," Miller said. "When you see someone who needs help, you help them. I am proud of my son for doing that. And I am really praying to God it is a turning point for him."
Rutledge has a long history of arrests, starting from age 8, and charges include burglary, theft, and fleeing from police, the Sentinel said.
The Fort Lauderdale Police Department posted a photo of Foulks and Rutledge, along with other police officers who responded to the teen’s calls for help and saved Foulks.
The boy will be honored by the department on Jan. 21, along with the
responding officers, NBC Miami said.
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