On Friday, July 9, Arkansas State Police Troop H Captain Chris Goodman honored the family of an everyday hero, the late Noel Vincent.
Vincent, of Parks (Scott County) and Harry Rhoades, of Bluffton (Yell County), were awarded the ASP Distinguished Service Award for their heroic efforts on July 31, 2020, when they discovered a single-vehicle motor crash along Arkansas Highway 28, south of Waldron.
Upon the arrival of a state trooper at the crash scene, the driver of the vehicle involved in the crash was laying in the roadway.
The trooper soon learned the two men had stopped when they saw fire about to engulf the wrecked truck and its driver trapped inside.
In a statement given to the investigating trooper, the victim stated, “…the fire was creeping into the cab and I could feel the heat from the fire…the gentlemen came to my rescue and pulled me from the burning wreck.”
Both Rhoades and Vincent have been credited with saving the victim’s life.
Tragically, Noel Vincent, 60, and his wife Melinda Neil Vincent were killed in a motorcycle accident on Saturday, May 15, 2021, just months before receiving the ASP award. On Friday, the Vincent family was honored for their father’s heroic act.
“We need more people like him,” stated Captain Goodman. “These two gentlemen didn’t have to stop and help, but they did and they saved a life. We get people who call in, but not many people want to stop and take action. For that, we want to honor your father today.”
Vincent’s family, including his two sons, Ben Vincent of Mena, AR, Levi Vincent of Arlington, TN, daughter, Brittany Calvi of Royal, AR, and several of his grandchildren were in attendance for the presentation.
Scott County Judge James Forbes was also in attendance for the award presentation and stated “this is a wonderful example of the spirit of Scott County. To risk one’s life to save another is truly the definition of heroism...Seeing that your family is one of service, tells me where your heart is.“
Scott County Sheriff Randy Shores, who was unable to attend the ceremony, also extended his gratitude towards the Vincent family.
Noel Vincent is survived by his parents, Jack and Ruth Vincent of Oden, AR, siblings, Brenda Fryar of Oden, AR, Craig Vincent of Oden, AR, Carl Vincent of Hot Springs, AR, Cheryl Salmon of Waldron, AR, Sarah Husser of Oden, AR, and 22 grandchildren.
“It was truly an honor to be able to receive this award on behalf of my father and our entire family,” shared Ben Vincent. “My father has always been the kind of guy that would stop and help anyone in need and on that day it wasn’t any different for him. It didn’t matter if you were out of gas or if your truck was on fire, he was going to stop and help. He would be honored by this, but he would tell you that what he did was simply the right thing to do. We can only hope to see more people start to do the same of others in similar situations. Please don’t just call 911, if you are able, please help.”
**Editor’s note: I would like to extend my gratitude towards Sebastian County Sheriff’s Office Captain Philip Pevehouse, Arkansas State Police Major Jason Aaron, and Arkansas State Police Troop H Captain Chris Goodman for working so diligently to see that this award was presented to the Vincent family.**
