Nine-year-old girl hailed as a hero after she saves grandfather

TULSA, Okla. — Quick thinking helped a nine-year-old save her grandfather’s life and earned her some special recognition.

Monday, Tulsa City Council, Police Department and Fire Department gathered with 9-year-old Ramiah Gilkey and her family.

There, they shared Ramiah’s story.

On March 5, Ramiah was with her grandfather when he fell on the TV stand, shaking. During the life-or-death situation, she remembered an important lesson from her mother.

“Make sure to call 9-1-1 if something bad happens,” the girls mother had said.

So she did.

Dispatchers told Ramiah to put a pillow under his head and sit him up. She waited with him as Tulsa police, area firefighters and EMSA responded.

“I’m very grateful that I was there,” Ramiah told FOX23 morning anchor Ron Terrell.

So was her grandfather.

“I am so proud of her,” Darnell Gilkey said. “I wouldn’t expect anything less of her. She’s got a blue belt in karate. She thinks fast.”

When Tulsa City Councilor Vanessa Hall-Harper learned about Ramiah’s act of heroism, she wanted to honor her.

“I was amazed, and I immediately said, ‘We’ve gotta do something,’” Hall-Harper said. “I just felt like it needed to be recognized.

The city councilor also hoped the opportunity to recognize Gilkey would encourage other children to learn how to handle similar situations.

At the ceremony, Ramiah received a new bike and a Certificate of Excellence by the Oklahoma Air National Guard.

“That’s my hero,” Darnell said. “That’s my she-ro.”

Cox Media Group