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On Tuesday, Nov. 17, Benny Correa and Amanda Disley, both of Springfield, will be among the people honored in the annual Heroes Among Us awards organized by the Boston Celtics and the Massachusetts State Lottery, according to MassLive.
Correa and Disley are credited with using information from an Amber Alert to spot a vehicle suspected to be involved in a kidnapping.
On Jan. 15, a girl was abducted off the street while walking to her home after school in the Hil-McKnight neighborhood of Springfield.
Witnesses reported they heard a girl screaming and saw her fighting with a man trying to get her into a vehicle, police said. Police combed the area and put out an Amber Alert - a message asking for the public’s help in finding a missing child.
While driving in a car with their children, Correa and Disley noticed a vehicle matching the description in the Amber Alert. Correa, who was driving, followed the car - even as it tried to speed away - while Disley stayed on the phone with police dispatch keeping them updated on their location.
The chase ended when Correa’s car ran out of gas. Police used the license plate number Disley gave them for the suspect car and issued an updated Amber Alert. Another driver spotted the vehicle on the Pike and called 911.
State Police set up a roadblock that looked like a construction zone in Charlton, stopped the car, and rescued the girl.
Miguel Rodriguez, 24, of Springfield has been charged in connection with the kidnapping.
Launched in 1997, The Heroes Among Us Award recognizes "individuals who, through their unique commitment and humanitarian spirit, have made exceptional and lasting contributions to our community," according to the award website.
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