Bullinger receives medal for heroism

Chief Warrant Officer Ricky Bullinger, a Rector native and 1982 RHS graduate, was honored along with Major Steven Hall in a special ceremony Sunday at Camp Robinson in Little Rock. Bullinger and Hall were presented the Soldier's Medal for non-combat heroism for their efforts in the August 2008 rescue of swimmers threatened with electrocution at a hotel dock on Lake Hamilton in Hot Springs.

Bullinger and Hall were at the dock for an evening boat ride with their families. The two officers had spent much of the day at a management workshop in order to plan training for the upcoming year. After the day's work, they were hoping to relax on the water.

While preparing the boat, Bullinger and Davis heard cries for help.

"We heard screams and ran down the dock to see what was happening," Bullinger said.

When they arrived at the dock where the screams were originating, the two men found a horrific scene. A woman and a 14-year-old girl were struggling in about 15 feet of water near the dock. This was no typical drowning, however, as a nearby light pole had a short circuit which channeled electricity into the water and passed the current on to Tamara Keele and young Sara Crotts, who were caught in the deadly mixture of water and electricity. Keele's young son, Devin, also was injured by the shock, lying on the dock nearby.

Heedless of their personal safety, Bullinger and Hall dove into the water.

"It was a situation where you don't think, you just react," Bullinger said.

The two men were able to get Keele out of the water, but Crotts began to sink beneath the water's surface. The two officers made repeated attempts to dive under the electrically-charged water, but the electricity coursing through their bodies made their arms and legs all but uncontrollable, causing them to float back to the surface. Their rescue efforts continued for approximately 30 to 45 minutes.

Divers later recovered Crotts' body from the site.

Keele and her son were treated and later given a clean bill of health. Keele's teenage daughter, Taylor, who was Crotts' best friend, also was present, but did not sustain injuries.

The actions of Bullinger and Hall and their immediate response to a terrifying situation were directly responsible for saving Tamara Keele's life. However, Bullinger does not feel he did anything extraordinary.

"To me, I believe anybody in that situation would have done the same thing," Bullinger said. "I saw someone who needed help and I just reacted to that."

Bullinger, who has been a member of the Arkansas Army National Guard for 29 years, resides with his wife, Donna, in Little Rock. Following the rescue, he learned the Keele family lived in the same neighborhood, residing just six doors down.

"I didn't know them prior to this," Bullinger said. "But since this happened, I've talked with them on several occasions."

Bullinger also has been in contact with Crotts' family. Both the family and the would-be rescuer have been hurt by the loss of the teenager.

"There's not a day that goes by that I don't think about her," Bullinger said. "I wish so much that we had been able to save her."

The Crottses have expressed their gratitude to Bullinger and Hall for their efforts and courage during the nightmarish ordeal.

A large crowd of family, friends and Guard members were present Sunday during the award presentation for Bullinger and Hall. Also in the crowd were members of the Keele and Crotts families. The medals were presented to the two officers by Brigadier General Roger McClellan, head of the National Guard ground forces in Arkansas.

Bullinger's mother, Pauline, resides in Rector.

"I'm very proud of him," Pauline Bullinger said of her son. "He helped save that woman's life and let her go back to her family. He didn't think of himself for a minute."