Ricky Shepard named 2017 Firefighter of the year

HATTIESBURG, Miss. - Hattiesburg Fire Chief Paul Presley honored a first responder Monday with the 2017 Firefighter of the year award for a heroic action while off duty.

Firefighter Ricky Shepard rescued a young girl from a car accident. About two months ago Shepard was driving down an interstate, off duty and came across a flipped vehicle. Shepard pulled off the highway to investigate and found a young girl trapped inside.

"I appreciate the award. Those guys back there know there’s a lot of great people that did a lot of great things this year. I appreciate the opportunity to accept this. This whole experience is probably one of the biggest life changing experiences that ever happened to me. And this little girl is probably one of the toughest little girls I ever met and she’s been through a lot through her entire life,” said Firefighter Ricky Shepard

Chief Presley said Shepard's community service and heroism is an honor to the city's fire department.