AFRL civilian receives AF award for valor Published Feb. 20, 2009 By Connie Rankin 377th Air Base Wing Public Affairs KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, New Mexico -- Michelle Hedrick, who risked her personal life and safety to rescue her neighbors from their burning house, earned the Department of the Air Force Civilian Award for Valor. Susan Thornton, Directed Energy Directorate director, presented the award during a recent director's call. Ms. Hedrick is the test manager for the unit. On Feb. 6, 2008, around 2 a.m., Ms. Hedrick, awaken by her cat because of strange noises outside, looked out her window and saw the back porch of her neighbor's house on fire. She immediately called 911 and woke her husband, Wayne. Both ran to the neighbor's house and luckily found a way to enter the smoke-filled house, yelling "the house is on fire," to awaken the occupants. Two family members exited the house while Ms. Hedrick looked for their elderly mother. The 94-year-old, who uses a walker, was taking too much time, so Michelle and a family member decided it was faster to carry her out to safety. A letter from the local fire chief quoted "It takes an act of heroism and bravery to enter a home that is on fire." The occupants also expressed their gratitude, saying "We are truly thankful to Michelle and her husband." They woke us up and quickly, got us up and out of bed and helped us out of the house. She literally carried my mother to our grandson's house next door." Ms. Hedrick is considered a hero in every sense of the word, though she remains humble about the event. "I just reacted and never looked at my actions as heroic; I just knew I had to get my neighbors out of the house. I did what I would expect anyone to do in a situation like this," said Ms. Hedrick. The Air Force Civilian Award for Valor is the second highest award given to a civilian in the Department of the Air Force.