Hero Father Dies Saving Daddy's Little Girl
May 7th, 2008 by Glenn Sacks, MA for Fathers & Families
Most fathers would do anything to protect their children, and here's another example.
Like hero fathers James Kim and Albert Collins, Chicago father Joseph Richardson gave his life to save his child.
From Mitch Dudke's Dad died saving his little girl: Father's last act protected 4-year-old from crash (Chicago Sun-Times, 5/7/08):
"With an out-of-control car bearing down, Joseph Richardson grabbed his 4-year-old daughter and held her up out of harm's way.
"It was his last act -- and one that apparently saved his daughter's life.
"Richardson, a 39-year-old father of three, was killed Monday evening by the car, driven by a man who police say was drunk.
"The car pinned Richardson and his daughter Kaniyah against a wrought iron fence at 95th Street and Wentworth, police said.
"Kaniyah survived and was listed in critical but stable condition Tuesday evening at Comer Children's Hospital, where a spokeswoman said she was doing well.
"'He held the baby up to keep the car from destroying the baby, but it totally destroyed him,' said Richardson's father, the Rev. L.V. Richardson.
"Richardson was walking his daughter to a McDonald's for burgers at 6:40 p.m. Monday when a 1990 Chevy Cavalier jumped a curb and careened towards them, police said, citing witness accounts.
"He grabbed his daughter just before the car slammed the two into the fence, police said...
"Joseph Richardson, the father of two girls and a boy, all under the age of 11, was described as a devoted father. His other love was music. He was a gifted pianist and organist and performed in choirs at Cottage Grove Baptist Church and Greater Revelation Missionary Baptist Church, where his father ministers. His idols were Ray Charles and Stevie Wonder, his family said..."
Read the full article here.
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May 7th, 2008 at 3:51 pm
This man is a true hero. Thank goodness this man was still allowed to be around his child. A man's greatest and highest responsibility in this life is to ensure the survival of his children. Would this child still be alive today if her Father were one of the many Fathers out there that have been refused the right to parent their child? Both parents have this responsibility, but history shows that men have always been in the role of protector. I hope this little girl is told of this heroism when she is old enough to understand. I also hope that this little girl continues to prosper and survive so that this man's ultimate sacrifice will not have been in vain. Take good care of her Mom.
May 7th, 2008 at 3:54 pm
So sad to see one of the good fathers taken from their children's lives. Like stillsober34 said this man is a hero.
May 7th, 2008 at 3:57 pm
What a contrast in love and parenting between Joseph Richardson and Rebecca Eckler.
May 7th, 2008 at 4:28 pm
The true stereotypical father. One who would sacrifice everything for his kids.
May 7th, 2008 at 5:59 pm
That story is so sad. My deepest sympathy to all the family and the little girl. I hope she recovers fully and soon.
I was watching an animal planet episode the other night about a bandit mongoose clan in Africa. At on point the 33 little animals in the mongoose clan were being stalked by a pride of lions and even a leopard. The commentator mentioned that going to burrow would provide no safety for the mongoose clan as the lions would just dig them out.
At one point a mongoose youngster cried out in distress, actually drawing the lions it. The male leader of clan ran in to the rescue. To make a long story short it went horribly and both the little one and the male clan leader were killed and eaten by the lions. The first two words that popped into my mind were, "Patriarchal privilege." Gender feminists circles (hypocrites that they truly are) never mention this aspect of Patriarchy.
May 7th, 2008 at 11:56 pm
As a firefighter and EMT I see death on a regular basis.
One lesson I have learned is that Death does not discriminate - young, old, black or white, male or female, death will find all of us some way some how. Being prepared to go at any moment is what is important. This father did the most unselfish act a person can for another - he gave his life to save his daughter.
May God Bless his family and children for generations to come.
May 8th, 2008 at 12:10 am
Another of the great fathers of the world gone while doing what a father does best, protecting his family.
My sympathies to family and friends of this wonderfull man.
My 2 cents
May 8th, 2008 at 6:44 am
A world class, all American Hero Father.
America's family court parasites should take note that American fathers are willing to give up their lives for the sake of their children.
Not the sort of enemy I would want to have.
But of course, if men would give their lives for their kids, certainly they would give their very last nickel to American family court parasites so as not to lose their kids, right?
This instinct of fathers is, in my view, at the root of the ill-begotten "power" of the bullies who prey upon loving fathers in our courts.
It is time to banish the bully-parasites of our family courts from this country once and for all.
May 8th, 2008 at 8:47 am
This story may have more to do with parental heroism than male heroism perhaps, but at least it still portrays a man in a very positive way (after all, studies show that about 69% of media images of men are negative). It is a shame, though, when society often only views men in a positive way when they die in love or war to serve and protect. It is my hope that if a woman was in the same situation she would have done the same (with the exception of rebecca eckler lol).The story is very sad. I wish the family well.
Acts of heroism in general are great..............as long as the expectation of disposability does not fall solely on men. I hope feminists will encourage females to also embrace the new chivalry and do bold things for the men in their lives.
MXY
May 8th, 2008 at 9:54 am
IThis is truly a sad story.I feel for all the family and all those who love him.I am female and I have a problem with our family courts,that over run and batter all of our fathers who are trying to do right by thier kids and want to be in there lives.The state sucks as far as making sure that our kids get what is truly theirs.I have a wonderful man,kind,loving and would give his life for his kids.I would do the same thing for his or my kids.The way the state steals your money and the kids don't hardly get any.It really angers him and me.One more case going into family court.I have great respect for all you,who are on this blog and to all I pray for all things good to happen.
May 8th, 2008 at 10:07 am
God bless him and his family.
May 8th, 2008 at 11:45 am
What a terribly sad story. I certainly hope that when his daughter is old enough to understand, that her mother makes sure to let her know how much her father obviously loved her and what a hero he is. That little girl is sure to have one very special guardian angel looking out for her. May God bless him and his family.
May 9th, 2008 at 9:06 am
R.I.P. Joesph. God Bless him and the family.
May 10th, 2008 at 9:25 am
I think this gentlemen did so much for his children in that single act. His children will no doubt suffer from his absence; but, that ultimate demonstration of his love for his children will provide them with inspiration and a moral centering that will serve them well for years to come.
May 19th, 2008 at 11:58 am
I am also 39.
I have a one year old daughter.
If the time ever came where I had to make a choice like this I hope I can be as bave as this man.
March 20th, 2009 at 1:42 pm
Brave Brave man! A true father, heroe, God bless his family.