Doing what is right while doing a job matters every day. For emergency responders, however, it can often mean the difference between life and death.

On June 6, a 2-year-old child wandered away from his Silver Creek home and became lost in the woods. That is frightening to hear for any parent or community member. On a mission to find the todder, Silver Creek student Teddy Braidich and Assistant Fire Chief Jim Tytka Jr. combed an area near train tracks and all-terrain vehicle trails.

They miraculously found the child before evening.

“Teddy and Jim, through their spontaneous and heroic actions, demonstrated character and compassion for the welfare of others and the life of the child was saved, due to the virtue of their behavior,” said state Sen. Catharine Young during a ceremony last week.

Both Braidich and Tytka were presented by Young with Liberty Medals. It was an honor for two individuals. And a very young life saved for a community.