James Bolling, Jr., rescued Vilmaris Rivera from assault, New York, New York, November 29, 1986. Vilmaris, 4, was in a subway station with her family when a man armed with a utility knife grabbed her and placed the knife to her throat. Passing by at street level, Bolling, 33, house painter, heard screams and ran into the station. He began to approach and speak calmly to the assailant, who warned him to stay away. Bolling, however, continued, and after several minutes he grabbed the assailant’s knife hand. A struggle between Bolling and the assailant ensued, during which Vilmaris escaped. The assailant, still armed with the knife, then chased Bolling before he was apprehended by arriving police. Vilmaris was hospitalized for her injuries.
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