Heroes honored by Philadelphia City Council

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Philadelphia City Council paused Thursday morning to honor several heroes involved in big stories Action News has been covering over the past week.

The honorees included two men hailed as heroes for pulling a police officer from a burning squad car.

Councilman Kenyatta Johnson is presenting citations to 17-year-old Joe Chambers and 24-year-old Dante Johnson.

The councilman said they are examples of how looking out for one another strengthens the community.

Chambers ran to Officer Mark Kimsey's aid after his cruiser collided with a pickup truck Saturday.

The 30-year-old officer said he was groggy and unable to put weight on his leg.

Kimsey says he stayed in the car momentarily to radio in his location before Chambers, a volunteer firefighter, and Johnson pulled him out through the window and moved him to safety.

Chambers says he'd do the same thing "any day of the week."

The ceremonies included another emotional tribute to heroism.

All involved in breaking the kidnapping case of Carlesha Freeland-Gaither were honored in Council chambers, especially the detectives who worked the case.

Freeland-Gaither was rescued in Maryland by federal agents who were able to track the car of the suspect, Delvin Barnes, a career criminal.

Gaither's grandfather and father were on hand at Philadelphia City Hall Thursday.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.