95-year-old Valentine Klepczynski is a Polish immigrant who is known to everyone in his neighborhood as Val because he was born on Valentine's Day.
On Tuesday a neighbor known to watch the 7200 block of Walker noticed a young man forcing his way into the victim's home across the street.
"I hollered to my husband, I said 'Art, hurry up, he just pushed Val into the house'," said Peggy McMaster.
76-year-old Art McMaster ran to get his neighbor, 34-year-old John Otto Jr., and both rushed to the victim's home.
"We both went up to the door and he was standing at the door, Val was bleeding, so we knew something happened," Art explained.
Otto, an Iraqi war vet and karate blue belt, says he cursed at the 28-year-old suspect and told him to get out of the house.
"The guy started shaking... and then swung, fully extended with the knife ," he said.
When asked if the suspect was swinging toward him, John replied, "Yeah, towards my neck and he had a black knife and I grabbed his wrist and I grabbed his jacket and went out the door with him."
The suspect managed to stab Otto in the hip and then made a run for it, but neighbors chased after him. Responding police officers captured the suspect a few blocks away.
Police say what the suspect apparently didn't know is that this is not just your ordinary neighborhood.
"People look after one another, especially a 95-year-old victim who lives alone," said Chief Inspector Scott Small.
Otto was treated and released from the hospital and was hailed a hero when he returned home. Otto, who was honorably discharged from the Army in February after serving two tours in Iraq, thought he was out of harm's way but wouldn't hesitate to fend for his neighbors.
"I was just doing what a good guy neighbor would do, nothing special."
The 95-year-old victim remains hospitalized with a swollen nose and jaw but otherwise will be alright.
The suspect meanwhile faces charges of robbery, aggravated assault and related offenses.
