Madeline “Amy” Sweeney Award for Civilian Bravery (2016)
George Heath (Posthumous)
This year marks the 25th Anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, in which at least 206 people with ties to Massachusetts perished. The first flights to be hijacked took off from Boston Logan International Airport. Madeline “Amy” Sweeney, a flight attendant on American Airlines Flight 11, displayed extraordinary cool under extreme pressure during the hijacking. The Massachusetts 9/11 Fund Blog is profiling the Sweeney Award recipients for the past quarter century every week leading up to the naming of the 2026 Honoree(s) at the 25th Anniversary Commemoration on September 11th.
New Bedford teacher loses life protecting others against knife-wielding man
George Heath, a visual arts teacher at the Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical School, was enjoying dinner with his wife, Rosemary, at Bertucci’s restaurant in Taunton’s Silver City Galleria on May 10, 2016.
Suddenly, a deranged man wielding a knife entered the restaurant and began to attack customers and employees. Heath confronted the attacker, placing himself between the man and Sheenah Savoy, a pregnant waitress he was stabbing.
Heath’s selfless act of courage saved Savoy’s life as well as that of her unborn child. But during this act of extraordinary bravery, Heath tragically lost his own life. Police shot and killed the suspect a short time later.
Heath’s wife Rosemary accepted the Madeline “Amy” Sweeney Award for Civilian Bravery on her husband’s behalf during a ceremony at the State House on Sunday morning. "I just want to thank everyone for this award. I just wish my husband was standing next to me to receive it himself," Rosemary Heath said. "I want everyone to think about helping other people do the right thing."
"Be like Amy and past recipients," she added.
Heath was nominated for the award by State Rep. Shaunna O’Connell of Taunton and Taunton Police Chief Edward Walsh, who had never nominated anyone for the award before.
“They were just sitting there eating supper when someone comes in and starts committing horrific acts and he interceded to protect the woman being stabbed and was killed,” Walsh told The Herald News. “His sacrifice deserves recognition. It was kind of a no brainer.”
“When faced with the horror of an armed attacker, George Heath did not hesitate for an instant to act decisively to defend the safety of those around him,” Gov. Charlie Baker said. “George Heath showed the same type of character and resolve that defined the heroes of 9/11 and it is our privilege to honor his sacrifice on this solemn anniversary.”
Next week: Salem 5th grader helps save life of kayaker in distress