ClickOrlando.com will stream event live

ORLANDO, Fla. – Orlando Fire Department Lt. Benjamin Wootson III will be honored Friday for having saved the life of a Seminole County sheriff’s deputy.

In March, Wootson was off duty and taking his son to a soccer game when he witnessed an SUV driven by Deputy Matthew Luxon slam into an overpass support and catch fire near Sanford. By the time Wootson had darted to the wreck, ammunition in the vehicle had begun to go off, but the firefighter still rescued Luxon and got him a safe distance away as the two waited for more help, watching the SUV become engulfed in flames.

Wootson in May became the first firefighter to receive the “Back the Blue” award, given to him by Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody.

“It’s an honor in itself to be the first firefighter to receive this and ultimately it should be a testament of the Orlando Fire Department from the training that we all receive and how we act on and off duty,” Wootson said at the ceremony. “I want to thank my family for always supporting my daily shenanigans... and ultimately, I want to thank God for putting us in a position to where we were to inflict change on an individual’s life.”

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Friday at 9 a.m., Wootson will receive three awards during a recognition ceremony at Fire Station 1 in downtown Orlando:

The “Life Saving” award, presented by the Orlando Fire Department for actions taken to save the life of a fellow public safety officer.

Another “Life Saving” award, presented by Seminole County Sheriff Dennis Lemma.

The “Off Duty Hero” award, presented by Seminole County Fire Department Lt. Brad Dickey.

ClickOrlando.com will stream the ceremony live at the top of this story when it begin.

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About the Author:

Brandon, a UCF grad, joined the ClickOrlando team in November 2021. Before joining News 6, Brandon worked at WDBO.