Capt. Carrie Stuart

Heroism takes more than just being in the right place at the right time. Sometimes it means putting one’s life on the line.

Sheriff Lee Baca and Assistant Sheriff Todd Rogers honored civilian hero Gregory Lindaman, of Green Valley, at a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Awards Ceremony on Tuesday at the Sherman Block Sheriff’s Headquarters in Monterey Park.

Lindaman saved the life of Capt. Carrie Stuart, a 28-year veteran of the department and unit commander of the Pitchess Detention Center, South Facility.

Stuart was driving southbound on San Francisquito Canyon Road in the Santa Clarita Valley when she collided head-on with another vehicle on Dec. 7, 2012.

Lindaman was the first person on the scene of the accident. He rushed to Stuart’s car, which was fully engulfed in flames, and tried to open the driver’s side door without success. He then ran to his car to retrieve a blanket, approached the passenger side of her vehicle, reached in with the blanket, pulled her out and dragged her over 100 yards to safety.

Lindaman then ran to the other vehicle involved in the collision, punched out the driver’s side window, pulled the victim out, and dragged him to safety as well.

Both drivers were transported to the hospital. Stuart remained in critical condition for some time but survived the accident due to Lindaman’s incredible bravery.

She is now living at a rehabilitation center in Encino and has made significant progress toward recovery.

Her daughter, Amanda Carey, 21, of Valencia said that “Its amazing to see how far she’s come in the last couple of months… She’s walking around, but still has a ways to go.”

And Carey said that she was overwhelmed by the support of her family and community, and especially the hero who saved her mother’s life.

“Our family is so appreciative of Mr. Lindaman, and it was amazing to see him receive the recognition he deserves,” she said. “Very few people would put their lives on the line like he did, especially to help a stranger, and we’ll never be able to thank him enough.”