Bus driver honored for rescuing boy kidnapped from Milpitas Library

MILPITAS, Calif. (KGO) -- A bus driver on the job for less than six months was honored Friday for his heroic actions behind the wheel.

He's credited with rescuing a young boy kidnapped from the Milpitas Library two weeks ago.

Tim Watson is not used to the spotlight. He's a VTA bus operator being honored by his employer and local leaders.

Watson was at the right place at the right time and did the right thing.

Exactly two weeks ago, he spotted a 3-year-old boy on his bus who was just taken from the Milpitas Library.

The child was with a stranger, 23-year-old Alfonso Edington, the accused kidnapper.

Watson slyly slowed down his ride to give Fremont police enough time to meet him at the BART station, where the boy was rescued and reunited with his family.

Since then, he has been overwhelmed by a grateful community.

"They just come up to me, shake my hand. 'Were you that bus driver? Thank you, I have my own child that rides the VTA bus service and knowing that they'll be safe with an operator such as yourself,'" Watson said.

The VTA also honored law enforcement officers and other VTA workers involved in the rescue.

A kidnapping that could have ended differently is now a chance to celebrate what happens when ordinary people act in an extraordinary way.

"Everybody is just extraordinarily grateful to have this outcome. It's immediately clear just how significant it is. We're just so glad to be a part of being able to see this end safely and reunite the family," Fremont Police Chief Richard Lucero said.

"It's just amazing the kind words and everything that's coming to me, someone who was just doing his job. But also, as a parent, just took action and did what needed to be done," Watson said.

The honors for Watson are not ending. On Friday night, he will get on a Santa Clara County Sheriff's helicopter, land at Municipal Stadium and throw out the first pitch at the San Jose Giants game.