We don't throw around the word HEROIC very often, but that term surely fits here.

Tonight, we handed out a brand new honor: Above and Beyond the Call of Duty. We were inspired to create this award after we heard about the actions of bus driver John Norwood about a month ago.

John was driving the school bus to pick up his students from North Star Elementary - sitting in the turn lane, waiting to turn left. Thankfully the bus was empty that day as John had not yet stopped at the school. That’s when a car going towards the bus, crossed into the turn lane and hit the school bus head on.

The bus sustained substantial damage and was totaled. Thankfully, the high standard of construction for school buses protected our driver and John sustained little injury. The same, unfortunately, could not be said for the other driver.

This is when John’s training and character really kicked in. Rather than waiting for emergency services to arrive on the scene, John jumped out of the bus to see if he could help the other driver. He walked out of the bus, noticed there were flames, and then had the presence of mind to run back to his bus, grab his fire extinguisher and put the fire out.

The other driver was trapped inside the car and needed to be extracted from the car by emergency responders, before being taken to the hospital. We understand the driver survived and we cannot help but be tremendously proud that John’s actions that day helped with that outcome.

John Norwood, we honor you with the Above and Beyond the Call of Duty award, in recognition for your quick actions, presence of mind and service above self. Your efforts demonstrated tremendous courage and kindness, and made all of us here at Bend-La Pine Schools proud.

Upon receiving the award, John said, "Given the circumstances, I don't think there's any one I work with that wouldn't have done the same. That's how we roll!"