I'm shaking my head in disbelief about this. Shocking:
Camden County heroism award will honor boy who died trying to save his sister
The 6-year-old boy killed last year when he tried to save his older sister will be awarded the Camden County Civilian Award on Friday during the county's annual Hero Scholarship Fund Award ceremony.
Dominick Andujar's family will accept the award on his behalf at the event, which also will honor several public safety officials.
The Camden County Hero Scholarship Fund Award ceremony, which usually draws about 500 people, raises money for scholarships given out in May to children of the county's law enforcement, fire and EMS personnel.
The Civilian Award is given annually to a county resident who in a "heroic" way contributes to a police, fire, or emergency services incident.
Dominick is the youngest recipient of a Civilian Award, said awards committee member Chris Williams, an EMT in the city.
Dominick's death Sept. 2, along with the beheading of a 2-year-old in August, helped bring national attention to what became a record-setting year of homicides in Camden.
"The police department brought it to light that Dominick was fatally injured saving his sister," Williams said. "It was a unanimous vote for this little guy."
A man broke into Dominick's Ware Street house while he and his three siblings were home alone. The man attacked 12-year-old Amber, who was sleeping on the living-room couch. Dominick, awakened by his sister's screams, tried to stop the man, but died in the house after the intruder cut his throat and hands.
Dominick gave the man enough of a struggle that Amber was able to escape and ask neighbors for help.
"In a world where so often men act like boys, here is a boy who acted like a man," said Msgr. Michael Mannion, director of community relations for the Camden Roman Catholic Diocese, who has known Dominick's family for several years.
About 15 hours after the attacks, Osvaldo Rivera, 31, was arrested and charged with murder, attempted murder, and sexual assault. Rivera remains in jail awaiting a grand jury hearing and trial.
Contact Claudia Vargas at 856-779-3917 or cvargas@phillynews.com, or follow on Twitter @InqCVargas. Read her blog, "Camden Flow" at www.philly.com/camden_flow.
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