Citizen of Courage 2024: Melissa Spinelli

What would you do, if you saw someone being brutally attacked as you are out walking your dog? 2024 Citizen of Courage Melissa Spinelli didn’t hesitate. She heard the cries of a young neighbor who was being stabbed on a sidewalk. As she approached, she was able to take a good look at the attacker and his car before he fled, and she called the police. Thanks to Melissa’s actions, law enforcement was able to arrest the attacker, who was identified as a former classmate of the victim. Perhaps most importantly, Melissa was able to stay with the victim and sadly, pass along his dying words to his family. Deputy District Attorney Helen Kim prosecuted this case.