Hero of the Week: Fifth Grader Honored For Saving Younger Student's Life

This week's hero is a fast-thinking and observant student who was able to stop another student from walking in front of an oncoming car! 

(Photo: A fifth grader from Brooke Grove Elementary School was honored for preventing a distracted student from crossing into the path of an oncoming vehicle.  Montgomery County Police Department)

MoCo Fifth Grader Honored For Saving Younger Student's Life 

A fifth grader serving as a safety patrol at Brooke Grove Elementary School in Olney was honored for life-saving action he took in March.

Gaby Arancibia,Patch Staff, , Jun 18, 2026

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MD — A fifth grader who quickly acted to prevent a younger student from crossing in front of a car was honored at a School Safety Patrol ceremony.

Matthew Geiger, who serves as a safety patrol at Brooke Grove Elementary School in Olney, Maryland, carried out the quick-thinking save back in March 2026.

AAA Mid-Atlantic spokeswoman Ragina Ali said during the ceremony that Geiger was on patrol when he saw a distracted, younger student steps away from crossing into the path of an oncoming vehicle.

"Matthew performed a life-saving action at one of your school's busiest areas," Ali said during the ceremony. "Recognizing the immediate danger, Matthew acted proactively by physically intervening and immediately extending an arm that blocked the younger student's path."

"He communicated the hazards, pointing out the moving vehicle to ensure the student understood the danger, and he maintained the holding until the vehicle came to a complete stop and it was safe to proceed," she added. Geiger not only received recognition at his school but was also presented with a medal. Ali said that Geiger was just one of two children in the nation to receive such an award.