Published: May 16, 2008 11:35 pm      

SCI-Cresson prison employee honored for life-saving effort

It was a typical early spring day, and when Michael Filkins got to his hunting camp in Potter County near the New York state border, he expected to stock fish in local streams.

Instead, he saved a drowning man’s life and became a hero with his co-workers at SCI-Cresson, where he recently was awarded the state prison’s medal of valor.

Filkins, 48, a maintenance instructor at the state prison, is described by officials as humble, even shy. He talks matter-of-factly about the incident.

On May 5, 2007, the Cherry Tree resident had just arrived at his hunting camp in Potter County.

As he started to help the Potter County Anglers Club stock fish, he saw a young man who also was helping fall into the cold waters of the creek.

As the man went under water and was pulled downstream by the strong current, Filkins ran down the creek bank and went in where the water was up to his chest.

He grabbed the young man by his T-shirt, but he was limp and lifeless.

Filkins got his hands under the man’s arms for a better hold, and the victim started coughing and choking from the water in his lungs.

Filkins pulled the man to the bank, and another person helped until emergency services arrived.

He acted on instinct, and does not have any special aquatic background, Filkins said.

“I just saw it happen and went in,” he said.

And he didn’t know the victim, he said.

“It was the first and last time I’ve seen the guy,” he said. “I’m told that he’s in his 20s and hangs around to help with some of the club’s activities.”

Filkins began his career in corrections in 2000. He holds a Vocational 1 certificate from IUP.

He’s a community volunteer who is an active member of Susquehanna River Rescue, the Potter County Anglers Club and the Northern County Civil Defense, where he works on fundraising and various activities.

“Mike’s willingness to put others before himself was displayed not only on May 5, 2007, but by his actions every day,” SCI-Cresson Superintendent Kenneth Cameron said.

“Mike is a dedicated employee, an outgoing citizen and an exceptional person. It is a great pleasure to recognize him for this heroic deed and for his exceptional everyday contributions to his community,” he said.