Madeline “Amy” Sweeney Award for Civilian Bravery (2017)

Jaydon Dancy

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.

Salem 5th grader helps save life of kayaker in distress

On August 19, 2016, 10-year-old Jaydon Dancy of Salem was playing on the waterfront area of Palmer Cove Playground in Salem, MA, when he saw a kayaker in distress. The kayaker was approximately 30 feet offshore when he overturned and fell from his vessel into the water.

Jaydon and an older woman who was nearby both called out to the man, but he did not respond. Jaydon then entered the water with the woman and made his way to the man, who by then was unconscious. Jaydon was able to grab hold of the man and together with the woman pulled him the entire distance to the shoreline.

Salem Police, Fire and EMS arrived but despite their medical intervention, the man succumbed to the medical episode which caused him to originally fall from his kayak into the water.

Jaydon was so humble about his bravery, and his family and community were incredibly proud of him. The 5th grader was honored by Salem Police and Fire Departments along with local and state leaders for his heroic actions in front of his classmates at the Carlton Innovation School in a schoolwide assembly in October. In March, his courageous action was recognized by the American Red Cross in the category of Selfless Acts by Youth Heroes.

Tragically, less than a year after trying to save the stricken kayaker, Jaydon was accidentally killed on June 9, 2017, when he crossed an active rail line to retrieve his bicycle and was struck by a commuter train.

“In his short life, Jaydon demonstrated the same character and courage as the heroes of September 11, 2001," Gov. Charlie Baker said in a statement, "and it is our privilege to give this award to him and honor his memory and life.”

"He was very modest about his courageous act," Michelle Dancy, Jayden’s mother, said. "Jaydon was a compassionate, peace-loving boy."

Next Week: Bridgewater duo saves senior citizens as train bears down on stalled car