Two pint-sized Claremont heroes were honored Tuesday night at the council meeting for saving their mother from drowning in the family pool.

Morgan and Benjamin Law were given special life-saving medals by Claremont Police Chief Shelly Vander Veen, two months after their quick thinking saved their mother’s life.

Susan Law was with Benji in their garden on July 28 when she slipped and fell into the pool. Ms. Law couldn’t swim, and was beginning to drown when Benji, 5, ran to his brother Morgan, 12, for help.

Morgan jumped into the pool and pulled Ms. Law to shallower waters. As Benji kept his mom’s head up, Morgan called police. Ms. Law was transported to Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center, where she fully recovered.

“It is no doubt that she is here with us today because of the quick response from her two sons,” Chief Vander Veen said.

The chief also gave an award to resident Kyle Gatlin, whose quick thinking saved a driver who suffered a seizure.

On July 7, the driver crashed into several parked cars. The driver’s foot was still on the accelerator, the wheels were still spinning and the driver was convulsing, Chief Vander Veen said. Mr. Gatlin used a rock to smash the rear driver’s side window, remove the driver’s foot from the accelerator and shut off the car.

The chief said Mr. Gatlin “performed with good judgment and bravery” and was deserving of the police department’s award of excellence. Mr. Gatlin was gracious in accepting his award. “It’s what I would have done 10 times out of 10,” he said. 

The council also decided on extending an existing moratorium on scooter rental businesses. More on the meeting will be published in next week’s COURIER.

—Matthew Bramlett

news@claremont-courier.com