VACAVILLE, Calif. (KCBS RADIO) – Three incarcerated men and a correctional officer on Thursday were honored as heroes for saving the life of a Vacaville woman who was the victim of a vicious stabbing.
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The trio, Darnell Armstrong, William Goins and Davion Howard, were working together as part of a crew cleaning a Vacaville creek on Oct. 4 when they heard the sound of a woman's scream.
"I assumed it was kids in the backyard playing," Armstrong told KCBS Radio. "But the second scream was more serious, I saw a lady fighting for her life. My first instinct was to go down and help her, make sure she’s alright."
The men arrived to a violent, bloody scene with a stabbing attack in progress on a nearby bike trail.
"Thinking about it now, it was the best thing to do, but it could have gone the wrong way," Goins said.
Not only did they take down the attacker, they also helped free and stabilize the woman who was stabbed.
As a result of their heroism, the men received certificates and were honored by the Vacaville Police Department and California Medical Facility prison in a ceremony outside the facility in Vacaville.
David Peebles, the correctional officer who was also part of the rescue, said the moment was surreal as it was a life or death moment where the men acted with valor.
"They really did not have to do what they did, but they did," he explained. "They reacted in a very positive way."
The men smiled ear to ear as they received their recognition.
"It feels good to be honest with you," Armstrong said. "I've been through so much in my life, and for me to get to the moment in my life, I'm happy. It means I have change and I've grown over the years. That's a real good feeling."
Howard hoped that the trio's story will defy people's expectations.
"People can change, people can be rehabilitated," he said. "So for us to do something like that, usually, society won’t think we’ll do it."
Goins said he hasn't heard from the victim's family, but hopes to send a support message soon.
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