BRANDON - In the nearly two years since he lost his legs in a tragic accident, Jerry Bowles has been busy spreading a measure of goodwill to those less fortunate.
Such unselfishness - coupled with his heroics of Jan. 15, 2000 - brought Bowles honors Thursday as one of 24 Carnegie Heroes.
On that rainy January night when life changed forever, Bowles was traveling on Interstate 20 in the Jackson area when he spotted a man lying in the path of traffic. Gerald Thomas, 35, of Edwards had been thrown from his car in a one-vehicle accident.
Bowles said he pulled into a median and walked to the back of his car to get a flashlight in hopes of slowing approaching cars.
As he stood by his trunk, Bowles was struck by another vehicle that had crossed into the median. His legs, badly mangled, had to be amputated. He also broke his hand, shoulder and wrist. More surgeries followed.
The outpouring of support - both prayers and financial - directed at Bowles still shakes up the 68-year-old retiree.
"I would do it again," Bowles said Thursday in a telephone interview about his efforts to save Thomas. "I wouldn't bat an eye."
Bowles gets around in a motorized wheelchair and a van that was customized to accommodate his needs.
"I have no complaints. I can't bowl and play golf like I used to and that's fine. I am a lucky man. When I go on my hospital visits, my nursing home visits, I thank the Lord for being so good to me. A lot of people have been good to me," Bowles said.
A year ago, the New Orleans native was honored by the Mississippi Association of Highway Safety Leaders with its highest honor, the Highway Safety Champion Award. The award honors individuals who show "outstanding human service and sacrifice" on Mississippi roads.
"When I pulled up that night to help the gentleman, I didn't know he was already deceased," Bowles said at the time. "I went to the back and opened the trunk and that's all I remembered for about four weeks."
Bowles said he is humbled by the attention he received.
Now, he said it is time to give back.
Steel magnate Andrew Carnegie started The Carnegie Hero Fund Commission of Pittsburgh in 1904 after being inspired by rescue stories from a mine disaster that killed 181 people. The awards, a bronze medal and $3,500 to honorees or their survivors, are given out five times a year.
When he first learned of the cash award, Bowles said he thought of turning it all over to the relief fund for the victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
"Then I heard about all the money being raised and what the government was doing for the victims. I know a lot of folks here who need help," he said.
Bowles said he will share the money with some rural churches, some needy families and send some to the Salvation Army for the Sept. 11 relief fund.
"If I end up with a few bucks, that's OK," Bowles said. "The plaque is the thing. I'll be able to keep that for life and take pictures to send to my kids.
"It is a unique honor. A lot of people have done more," he said.
On the Net:
Carnegie Hero Fund Commission, http://www.carnegiehero.org
