MAYOR BOOKER AND PORT AUTHORITY HONOR HEROIC NEWARK RESIDENT WHO SAVED MAN WHO FELL ON PATH TRAIN TRACKS, WITH MEDALLION
Security Guard Terrence Kelsor who saved man who fell on subway tracks
receives medal and thanks of City for life-saving deed of valor
receives medal and thanks of City for life-saving deed of valor
Newark, NJ - March 4, 2009 - Mayor Cory A. Booker, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Deputy Executive Director Susan Bass Levin, Port Authority Trans-Hudson Director Mike DePallo, and other Newark dignitaries presented City resident Terrence Kelsor with a medal in honor of his life-saving act of heroism, at a Municipal Council Chamber ceremony today.
Mr. Kelsor, 54, a security guard for FJC Security Services, Inc., was working his shift at the PATH Christopher Street station late at night on Friday, February 27, when he saw a man who reeked of alcohol stumble off the platform and onto the tracks. Mr. Kelsor reached down and grabbed the man by his shirt, pulling him back on to the platform just as a train came barreling into the station, saving the man’s life.
“Terrence Kelsor is an authentic American hero, a man who put his life at risk to save that of another,” Mayor Booker said. “He manifested the spiritual strength of Newark in action. Mr. Kelsor has shown us the very best of Newark, adding a new page of honor to our long history of courage, resilience, and excellence. He shows us the way - we follow his example.”
At the ceremony Mr. Kelsor, who is married with three stepchildren, received a medallion from the City, which reads, “For Your Heroic Efforts.” He was also commended for his heroism by Newark Municipal Council members and Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Deputy Executive Director Susan Bass Levin.
“Mr. Kelsor's heroism and bravery are a credit to the people of Newark and the entire metropolitan area,” said Deputy Executive Director Levin. “We at the Port Authority are proud and grateful that his selflessness saved another human being.”
Mr. Kelsor was also presented with a City Council Resolution by Council President Mildred Crump commending him for his valor, saying, “I am here today for a celebration of heroism, that went above the call of duty. I know Mr. Kelsor. He is a fixture of the City, who has contributed much to the wealth and value of the City. Mr. Kelsor, it is a pleasure to give you flowers while you can still smell them.” Council President Crump also gave Mr. Kelsor a pin making him an Honorary Member of the Newark Municipal Council.
Mr. Kelsor, who resides with his wife Regina in the South Ward, has been working for FJC since September 2008. The Jersey City-based company provides security for PATH stations and facilities under contract when Port Authority personnel are not available.
At the ceremony, Mayor Booker presented Mrs. Kelsor with glassware created by Newark youth from GlassRoots, Inc. The mayor saluted Mrs. Kelsor, saying, “People do not exist in a vacuum. They achieve through the love and support of their families. We are proud to honor Regina Kelsor today,” Mayor Booker said. GlassRoots, Inc. is a Newark-based non-profit organization that provides artistic and life skills training to Newark area youth through workshops in glassmaking, graphic design, and basic business and entrepreneurial concepts.
“I found out what happened on the PATH station from my husband,” Mrs. Kelsor said. “He called me at 1 a.m. to say, ‘Something just happened to me. I saved a man who fell on the tracks.’ I was not surprised. That’s the type of man he is.”
FJC’s Regional Director, Thomas Moscandini, said that the man Mr. Kelsor saved was not identified. However, Mr. Kelsor’s feat will put him in the mix for the company’s “Employee of the Month” and “Employee of the Year” recognition programs, which come with cash awards and plaques.
“I am humbled to stand here before you today, and honored,” Mr. Kelsor said. “11:45 p.m. on February 27, 2009, was a time I’ll never forget. I didn’t think of myself as a hero, I just saw a disoriented man fall on the tracks, and acted to save him.”
A Newark native, Mr. Kelsor served in the US Navy, on the amphibious landing ship USS Ponce, from 1976 to 1978, then in security jobs ever since.
During his remarks, Mr. Kelsor also warned about the dangers of alcohol and drug abuse and addiction, saying, “You can overcome these diseases with the help of God and be victorious over the disease.”
The incident was not the first time Mr. Kelsor had helped a person in distress while on a security job. In 1985, while working a security job on Doremus Avenue late at night, he saw a traumatized and injured woman stumbling towards him. She had been sexually assaulted. Mr. Kelsor calmed the woman down and called WNJR radio host Gwendolyn Moseley Grant, whose call-in show was airing, for assistance. She in turn called the Newark Police, who responded, and broadcast an appeal to Newark cab drivers at Penn Station for one of them to drive to the scene and take the victim to the hospital - a cabbie arrived soon after and did just that.
The last time Mayor Booker presented a City medallion was on April 23, 2008, when the City honored taxi driver Mohammed Khalil for returning a 285-year old Antonio Stradivari “Ex-Keisewetter” violin to the passenger, concert violinist Philippe Quint, who left the $4 million violin in Mr. Khalil’s cab after a ride from Newark Liberty International Airport to his home in Battery Park City. Including today’s event, Mayor Booker has presented six of the medallions during his nearly three years in office.
“At a time of national crisis, our nation needs examples, and this is a time when heroes come to the forefront,” Mayor Booker said. “When you sacrifice a part of your own self, you lift up everyone else. Mr. Kelsor lifts us up and infuses us with the inspiration of what we need to do as a nation and a society.”
-NEWARK-
Contact: Newark Press Information Office: (973) 733-8004.
Mr. Kelsor, 54, a security guard for FJC Security Services, Inc., was working his shift at the PATH Christopher Street station late at night on Friday, February 27, when he saw a man who reeked of alcohol stumble off the platform and onto the tracks. Mr. Kelsor reached down and grabbed the man by his shirt, pulling him back on to the platform just as a train came barreling into the station, saving the man’s life.
“Terrence Kelsor is an authentic American hero, a man who put his life at risk to save that of another,” Mayor Booker said. “He manifested the spiritual strength of Newark in action. Mr. Kelsor has shown us the very best of Newark, adding a new page of honor to our long history of courage, resilience, and excellence. He shows us the way - we follow his example.”
At the ceremony Mr. Kelsor, who is married with three stepchildren, received a medallion from the City, which reads, “For Your Heroic Efforts.” He was also commended for his heroism by Newark Municipal Council members and Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Deputy Executive Director Susan Bass Levin.
“Mr. Kelsor's heroism and bravery are a credit to the people of Newark and the entire metropolitan area,” said Deputy Executive Director Levin. “We at the Port Authority are proud and grateful that his selflessness saved another human being.”
Mr. Kelsor was also presented with a City Council Resolution by Council President Mildred Crump commending him for his valor, saying, “I am here today for a celebration of heroism, that went above the call of duty. I know Mr. Kelsor. He is a fixture of the City, who has contributed much to the wealth and value of the City. Mr. Kelsor, it is a pleasure to give you flowers while you can still smell them.” Council President Crump also gave Mr. Kelsor a pin making him an Honorary Member of the Newark Municipal Council.
Mr. Kelsor, who resides with his wife Regina in the South Ward, has been working for FJC since September 2008. The Jersey City-based company provides security for PATH stations and facilities under contract when Port Authority personnel are not available.
At the ceremony, Mayor Booker presented Mrs. Kelsor with glassware created by Newark youth from GlassRoots, Inc. The mayor saluted Mrs. Kelsor, saying, “People do not exist in a vacuum. They achieve through the love and support of their families. We are proud to honor Regina Kelsor today,” Mayor Booker said. GlassRoots, Inc. is a Newark-based non-profit organization that provides artistic and life skills training to Newark area youth through workshops in glassmaking, graphic design, and basic business and entrepreneurial concepts.
“I found out what happened on the PATH station from my husband,” Mrs. Kelsor said. “He called me at 1 a.m. to say, ‘Something just happened to me. I saved a man who fell on the tracks.’ I was not surprised. That’s the type of man he is.”
FJC’s Regional Director, Thomas Moscandini, said that the man Mr. Kelsor saved was not identified. However, Mr. Kelsor’s feat will put him in the mix for the company’s “Employee of the Month” and “Employee of the Year” recognition programs, which come with cash awards and plaques.
“I am humbled to stand here before you today, and honored,” Mr. Kelsor said. “11:45 p.m. on February 27, 2009, was a time I’ll never forget. I didn’t think of myself as a hero, I just saw a disoriented man fall on the tracks, and acted to save him.”
A Newark native, Mr. Kelsor served in the US Navy, on the amphibious landing ship USS Ponce, from 1976 to 1978, then in security jobs ever since.
During his remarks, Mr. Kelsor also warned about the dangers of alcohol and drug abuse and addiction, saying, “You can overcome these diseases with the help of God and be victorious over the disease.”
The incident was not the first time Mr. Kelsor had helped a person in distress while on a security job. In 1985, while working a security job on Doremus Avenue late at night, he saw a traumatized and injured woman stumbling towards him. She had been sexually assaulted. Mr. Kelsor calmed the woman down and called WNJR radio host Gwendolyn Moseley Grant, whose call-in show was airing, for assistance. She in turn called the Newark Police, who responded, and broadcast an appeal to Newark cab drivers at Penn Station for one of them to drive to the scene and take the victim to the hospital - a cabbie arrived soon after and did just that.
The last time Mayor Booker presented a City medallion was on April 23, 2008, when the City honored taxi driver Mohammed Khalil for returning a 285-year old Antonio Stradivari “Ex-Keisewetter” violin to the passenger, concert violinist Philippe Quint, who left the $4 million violin in Mr. Khalil’s cab after a ride from Newark Liberty International Airport to his home in Battery Park City. Including today’s event, Mayor Booker has presented six of the medallions during his nearly three years in office.
“At a time of national crisis, our nation needs examples, and this is a time when heroes come to the forefront,” Mayor Booker said. “When you sacrifice a part of your own self, you lift up everyone else. Mr. Kelsor lifts us up and infuses us with the inspiration of what we need to do as a nation and a society.”
-NEWARK-
Contact: Newark Press Information Office: (973) 733-8004.
