13-year-old Detroit boy, Clinton Twp. police sergeant honored for saving man's life

CLINTON TWP. (WWJ) — A 13-year-old Detroit boy is being called a hero for helping save the life of a 55-year-old Macomb County man last month.

Clinton Township police officials on Thursday honored Richard Blackwell, and Sgt. Paul Collins, who saved 55-year-old Ed Fortuna’s life on July 13.

Blackwell and his cousin were driving along Harper Avenue that morning when they spotted Fortuna, who was lying motionless on the ground. Blackwell was quick to jump into action, running to Sgt. Collins, who rushed to Fortuna.

Collins felt a faint pulse and immediately began CPR. Officials say within minutes, Fortuna’s pulse and breathing improved and he was taken to the hospital.

Speaking to WWJ’s Tim Pamplin on Thursday, Fortuna said he was unconscious for 14 minutes.

“Nobody can even understand — my doctor couldn’t even understand — why I’m still here,” Fortuna said. “It’s truly a miracle.”

Fortuna said he thought Blackwell was 16 or 17 years and he was surprised to learn he’s just 13.

“For a young man in the inner city to come up to the suburbs and to do what he did, to run to a police officer — run, not run away — saved my life. And I hope it’s infectious to all the young men and women in the city and suburbs to do the right thing when it’s their time,” he said.

Blackwell, a student at Oak Park Preparatory Academy, said when he saw Fortuna, he knew he had to jump into action.

“First, we called 911 and 911 kept telling us there were no police officers in the area, so when I’d seen that police officer, I knew I had to go get him,” Blackwell said.

Collins said saving Fortuna’s life was the highlight of his career.

“I’ve done a lot of cool cop stuff, but this, saving this guy’s life, was No. 1 on my list,” Collins said.

Township officials honored Collins and Blackwell with life saving awards at a ceremony Thursday at the Clinton Township Police Department.

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