Cleveland Heights-University Heights OAPSE/AFSCME Bus Driver Hailed as Hero for Saving Students From School Bus Fire
The driver who last week escorted 15 students to safety from a burning school bus received official recognition Monday night (March 3) for his heroic actions at the wheel and out the door.
Those accolades came across the board from city, Cuyahoga County, state and federal officials in Cleveland Heights council chambers for Dorian Pace -- who also got a couple of standing ovations.
Pace had hustled the Monticello Middle School students at least 100 feet away from the bus by the time it burst into flames within minutes of evacuation.
Attendees included City Council Vice President Davida Russell, doubling as Northeast Ohio district union president and representing OAPSE-AFSCME Local 617.
“A phenomenal young man did something amazing on the morning of Feb. 27 by saving the lives of students from a fire in a school bus,” Russell said.