While Jaylen Lockhart might be Aurora’s most famous resident at the moment, he said it was all in a day’s work.
“I wouldn’t think twice about stopping to help anyone in this room,” the 10th Ward resident said during Tuesday night’s City Council meeting. “I will cherish this day for the rest of my life; it’s a great example of togetherness and love for the holidays.”
The looming Thanksgiving holiday was the perfect setting for honors heaped upon Lockhart, who has become the city’s most famous Good Samaritan, a symbol of citizenship above and beyond the call of duty, for his actions a little less than two weeks ago.
Lockhart, an Aurora worker for the U.S Postal Service, was subbing for another letter carrier in the 9th Ward when he noticed a senior citizen walking his dog, seeming a bit unsteady and eventually taking a serious tumble, injuring his head.
Lockhart, 26, quickly sprang to the aid of Guy Miller, 78, flagging down neighbors to stay with Miller while he tracked down his house to notify his family.
“It wasn’t just that he stopped,” said Marcia Miller, Guy’s wife. “What’s so remarkable is that he came to my house, let me know my husband was going through a crisis – he took time to come find his family.”
Since that time, Lockhart’s actions have been the subject of a report on every Chicago area television station, and even national outlets like People magazine and the ABC national news.
He was chosen to join Mayor Richard Irvin at last week’s Winter Lights Festival in downtown Aurora to turn on the lights on the city’s Christmas tree. But the city was not done.
At this week’s City Council meeting, Irvin, who was absent but sent a video message, announced that from now on in the city of Aurora, Aug. 29, which is Lockhart’s birthday, will be Jaylen Lockhart Day in the city.
“Brother, we are so proud of you,” Irvin said.
Lockhart teared up as he received the proclamation, but it wasn’t long before the council audience was treated to his trademark smile as he was joined by his wife and daughter, while his mother and grandmother looked on.
Guy Miller choked up as he attempted to thank Lockhart publicly. But his gratitude is already well-known, as his family and Lockhart’s are joining each other for Thanksgiving dinner this year.
Both families received free tickets to a performance of “Frozen” at the Paramount Theatre, along with dinner tickets at either Leilani Asian Fusion or Giardino Trattoria and Pizzeria, courtesy of JH Hospitality Group.
The city kicked in free snow removal for the Millers this winter, and Lumen Fox Valley, where Lockhart lives, donated a gift card to the Lockharts.
Alds. Shweta Baid, 10th Ward; Edward Bugg, 9th Ward; and Patty Smith, 8th Ward, also honored Lockhart, with Bugg pointing out he was on a beach in Florida when he heard about the situation, proving “you’re never too far away from your ward.”
Lockhart, as it turns out, has known the adult children of Smith for a while and attended her daughter’s wedding before the event happened.
Smith pointed out that in years past, being a Good Samaritan was “just a thing that you did.”
“But not today,” she said. “He is the kind of person we all need to strive to be like.”
slord@tribpub.com
