Valerie Schmitt and Vincent Del Rosario, who work as Covenant security screening agents at San Francisco International Airport, were each presented with a certificate of appreciation for their role in helping to save an officer's life.
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"I don't think I'm a hero, I think I just did what I had to do," says Schmitt. "I'll do it again, and I won't think twice about it."
In September, San Francisco police officer Reynaldo Serrano was responding to a report of a suspicious person walking around Terminal 1. Police officials say he attempted to engage with the suspect, Doris Johnston, upon arrival in the baggage claim area, but was then stabbed in the knee with a knife.
Both the suspect and the officer wrestled down to the ground during the exchange. The commotion caught the attention of both Schmitt and Del Rosario, who weren't even on the clock. The two of them rushed in to help subdue the suspect and secure the scene.
"It wasn't a thought in my head that I (was) scared... or anything like that, but it was more like this person is in danger, and I'm going to do my best to help out," says Del Rosario.
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SFPD Deputy Chief Denise Schmitt is grateful for the duo's quick-thinking actions.
"He (Serrano) was in a fight for his life that day, and without these two, it could've gone another way," Schmitt said.
Johnston was arrested for attempting to murder a peace officer but has been declared not competent to stand trial.
Serrano is currently recovering from his injuries and hopes to return to full duty in the near future.