VALRICO, Fla. – On this Crossing Guard Appreciation Day, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office is proud to recognize the 295 men and women who help our children get to and from school safely.
Their valuable role was exemplified by HCSO Crossing Guard Supervisor Kathleen Quinn, who on Wednesday, January 27, 2021, saved a young girl from getting hit by a car.
The seven-year-old was crossing the intersection at Culbreath Road and Nature’s Way Boulevard in Valrico, when a vehicle swept through. Ms. Quinn was in the middle of the road, with her stop sign raised above her head, when the driver refused to slow down.
Instinctively, Ms. Quinn reached for the young girl, who was walking her bike across the street, and prevented what could have been a tragic accident.
Mia Carlson witnessed the incident as she waited for her daughter on the other side of the road. Overcome with gratitude, Carlson contacted the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office to report Ms. Quinn’s heroic actions.
“Ms. Kathleen Quinn is nothing less than a hero,” said Sheriff Chad Chronister. “Though she has only served two years as a crossing guard, she undoutedbly possesses the skills and, above all, the intuition needed to perform this critical duty. Without hesitation, she stepped into harms way to protect a child from a reckless driver. I am overwhelmed with pride to say she is part of our team of dedicated crossing guards who treat every child on their route as their own and ensure they get to and from school safely.”