CLEVELAND (WJW) — In May 2024, a Cleveland man risked his life to save a child trapped in a burning home. His selfless actions earned him the prestigious Cleveland Division of Fire Citizen Award.
John Stickovich doesn’t consider himself a hero, but the Cleveland community thinks otherwise. Despite his modesty, his bravery on the morning of May 6 is undeniable.
That day, as he drove to work, John came across a scene of chaos—a house engulfed in flames.
“I pulled up in front of the house, and I’m like, ‘Oh my god, this house is really going,’” John recalled.
Outside the burning home, a frantic mother clutched her infant and shared the chilling news: her other child was still inside.
“The first thing she says is, ‘My baby’s still in the house,’” John said.
Without protective gear or hesitation, John entered the inferno, facing thick smoke and searing heat. He searched the house but initially found nothing.
Determined to save the child, he returned outside to gather more information from the mother. Armed with her directions, John crawled back into the smoke-filled home.
Just as the situation seemed bleak, he heard the sound he had been praying for—a baby’s cry.
“The baby cried. I said, ‘Okay, the baby is right here,’” John remembered.
Following his instincts, John located the infant and carried the child to safety.
For his heroic actions, the Cleveland Division of Fire recently honored John with the Citizen Award. When asked about the recognition, John responded with the humility that defines him.
While John remains in touch with the family through Facebook and looks forward to watching the child grow, he emphasizes that his motivation that day wasn’t for accolades but out of compassion.
“When an emergency happens, try,” John said. “It could lead to good results. Like in this one, a little baby got saved, and she will probably live a long life.”
The Cleveland community continues to thank John for his courage and compassion, but he insists that anyone in his position could have done the same.
It’s clear, however, that John Stickovich’s actions that day went above and beyond—proving that true heroism lies in selfless acts of kindness when it matters most.
