Good Samaritan teaches a lesson we all need

It only takes a moment to do some good for someone else. Often we might find ourselves too busy to stop and think about the well being of others, but one person in Taylor County recently did just that, and we should all stop and take notice of his heroic actions.

At first glance, this person is not one most would think of when the word hero is spoken. It would be easy to look at him, especially in his current position, and dismiss him, even place a lesser value on him than many of us might place on ourselves. After all, we tend to think highly of ourselves, and this man is an inmate at the Taylor County Detention Center. It would be easy to look down on him, but instead, we need to raise him as an example of what we all should do if given the chance.

Chris Tuttle is not what many would think of as a model citizen. As for us, we don’t think it’s our job to judge Tuttle because he is an inmate. If we are going to judge him, it should be in a positive manner for his selfless thinking when he saw a local woman being harassed by a stranger. As that stranger attempted to abduct the woman, Tuttle rushed to her aid, no doubt saving her from danger, and possibly saving her life. It didn’t matter that he didn’t know her or that he had nothing to gain personally. Tuttle rushed in to help because he says he knew it was the right thing to do.

Tuttle is in jail because he made a mistake. He will do his time and soon he will be released. Some people may see Tuttle or other inmates working in the community and feel scared or look at them as below the rest of us. That would be a mistake.

Not only should we not look down on others, we should look for the good in everyone. Tuttle is a perfect example of a “Good Samaritan,” someone who thought of others before himself, and proved it with his actions.