Supervisor Hahn Honors Probation Officer Who Saved Young Norwalk Boy From Oncoming Train

Los Angeles, CA — At today’s Board of Supervisors Meeting, Chair of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Janice Hahn joined Supervisor Sheila Kuehl in honoring an LA County Probation Officer who helped save the life of a young boy in Norwalk earlier this month.

On Thursday, October 3, Los Angeles County Deputy Probation Officer II (DPO II) Martha Corbett, who is a Probation liaison with the City of Norwalk, was visiting a local middle school to introduce herself to the school’s administrators. When she arrived, school officials alerted her that an 11-year-old boy had ran away from the school and was standing perilously close to nearby train tracks. Despondent by the fact that his parents were going through a divorce, the boy ran away from school officials and his mother during a parent meeting at the school that day.

School safety officers and administrators tried to help the boy and coax him away from the railroad tracks, but he only walked further away from them and onto the tracks. The situation became urgent when the crossing arms of the railroad tracks lowered and Corbett could see the train’s headlights approaching.

DPO II Corbett managed to persuade the boy closer to her. Just in time, she quickly grabbed the young boy and guided him to safety just moments before the train passed, avoiding what could have been a disaster.

“I am pleased to have had the opportunity to recognize a true hero at today’s Board Meeting,” said Supervisor Hahn. “Deputy Probation Officer Corbett’s brave deed exemplifies all that our Probation Department stands for – I commend her for her bravery, commitment to the safety of others in need, and continued service to LA County’s youth.”