By Stephanie Schultz
WIBW – November 7, 2013
A Fort Riley firefighter was recognized Wednesday for showing alertness and benevolence during a June incident at Lake Shawnee.
The Safe Streets Coalition and Topeka City of Character honored Dan Lawton as this month’s Champion of Character.
Lawton was off duty fishing at Lake Shawnee when he noticed a small boat carrying a family experiencing strong currents. When he checked on the boat, a man named Robert Dabney fell overboard but told Lawton he could swim.
Lawton then noticed Dabney was struggling to stay above water, so Lawton turned around and brought the man to shore.
“That’s a lake that I frequent and so do other families, and we really don’t want it being associated with tragedy, so it was good to be there at the right time,” said Lawton.
Lawton says helping people out is just part of his job, and he’s glad the family is safe.
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