‘He saved me’: Tampa police attorney who saved a jogger during an attack in Hyde Park
TAMPA, Florida (TodayNews). The brutal attack in the upscale Hyde Park neighborhood has shocked the people of South Tampa.
A woman went out for an evening run when she suddenly became the victim of a severe beating.
The Tampa Police Department honored the lawyer who saved this woman from an attack during a quarterly award ceremony on Thursday.
“I screamed as loud as I could for help,” Taylor told the news channel eight days after the attack in May.
‘Just jumped on her’: Runner attacked in broad daylight in Hyde Park, rescued by lawyer, son
Although the bruises on her face have healed, she is still dealing with what happened to her that Friday night in Hyde Park.
“I feel like the attack robbed me of something, you know, almost innocence,” Taylor said. “My walks were so important to me.”
But she did not lose hope in humanity because of the heroic actions of a lawyer who spoke out against her attacker.
“Even though there is indeed a lot of evil in the world, there is also a lot of good in the world,” Taylor said.
Tampa police said a 34-year-old homeless man grabbed her by the tail, punched her in the face several times, and pushed her to the ground.
“No one knew such an event could happen in Hyde Park,” said Charles McKeon. “You have to be careful, watch your surroundings and look out for each other.”
McKeon carries a hidden weapon. He approached Taylor’s assailant, drew a pistol, and yelled at the man to stop.
“Eventually he was able to pry it away from me and then the man lunged at him and I was able to get away,” Taylor said. “He definitely saved me.
On Thursday afternoon, McKeon received the Tampa Police Chief’s award.
“It is a great honor for me,” he said. “I’m a little embarrassed because anyone would have done it.”
Taylor told News Channel 8 that she would never miss this ceremony in honor of her hero.
“He keeps telling me that anyone would have done it, and I said absolutely not,” Taylor said. “Not everyone would do that. The reason I’m here today is because I would celebrate him a thousand times over for what he did for me.”
McKeon’s son Dalton also stepped in to help drive off the attacker.
Shortly thereafter, Tampa police arrested Esya Nodopa and charged her with aggravated battery and grievous bodily harm.
