Aachen Region Honors Daily Heroines with Civic Courage Prize 2025 - Police and Urban Centers Recognize Five Everyday Heroes

In a heartwarming ceremony held at the Museum Zinkhütter Hof in Stolberg, the City Region Aachen/Stolberg jointly awarded the Civil Courage Award 2025 to five exceptional individuals from Alsdorf, Aachen, and Herzogenrath. This prestigious award, previously known as the Citizen's Award for Civil Courage, has been presented every two years since 2010.

The honourees were recognised for their acts of bravery and unwavering commitment to helping others. Among the recipients were Florian Harry Lorbeer, Anja Spitz, and Guido Heinrich Wolter, who saved a driver's life on December 9, 2024, on the Neusener Straße in Würselen. The driver, who had suffered a heart attack, survived thanks to the quick thinking and immediate first aid administered by the three independent witnesses.

Samuel Koosono and Nuri Hagen were also recognised for their heroic actions. On October 26, 2024, they rescued an 88-year-old resident from a burning farmhouse in Aachen.

From a police perspective, civil courage is indispensable, according to Deputy Police President Andreas Bollenbach. He emphasised that it extends beyond chasing a lone robber, and can be demonstrated in communities through actions on social media, public spaces, and daily life.

The commitment to democracy and education is supported through various funding programs in the Aachen region. The Communal Integration Center of the Aachen region, for instance, is particularly focused on this, with initiatives like the 'NRWeltoffen' program, International Weeks against Racism, and free seminars on dealing with pub talk clichés.

Dr. Tim Grüttemeier, regional councilor of the Aachen region, highlighted the 2021 flood disaster in Stolberg as a poignant example of civil courage. He underscored that it's not just about taking care of the victim(s), but also about remembering details and making oneself available as a witness later.

The jury, consisting of representatives from the police and administration of the Aachen region, as well as politicians from the regional parliament, carefully considered each nomination before making their decision. The award is endowed with a total of 2,000 euros this year.

The Social Affairs Director of the City Region of Aachen, Dr. Michael Ziemons, is a first aider as part of the "Region Aachen saves" initiative. He recounted that he was never alone when alerted to emergency situations, as several first aiders were always on site providing support.

For those seeking more information, the Police Aachen Press Office can be reached at 0241 / 9577 - 21211 or via email at [email protected]. The background information states that inquiries should be directed to the Police Aachen Press Office.

In conclusion, the Civil Courage Award serves as a reminder of the power of ordinary individuals to make a significant difference in their communities. The honourees, and all those who demonstrate civil courage, are truly the unsung heroes among us.

Aachen Region Honors Daily Heroines with Civic Courage Prize 2025 - Police and Urban Centers Recognize Five Everyday Heroes