Rescuer Shares Award With Man Who Helped Brave the Flames

When Robert Bentson heard a person might be trapped inside a burning home on New Year's Eve, he didn't hesitate.

The son of a retired Gilroy firefighter, 32-year-old Bentson ran through the home's blown-out screen door and rescued a man who was already badly burned. He carried him out as flames engulfed the home, and he comforted him before help arrived.

The Gilroy City Council presented an award to Bentson Monday night to commemorate his bravery, summoning a standing ovation from a crowd that included several Gilroy firefighters and members of the community.

Another man ran into the home to help with the rescue that night, but Bentson said it wasn't until recently that he learned his name.

"I'd like to thank the council for the award," Bentson said from the podium, "and I'd like to thank Chief Foster and Chief King for the nomination and the firefighters who showed up and ..."

"Fought the fire?" said Gilroy Fire Chief Dale Foster.

As the audience laughed, Bentson said, "Yeah, and did the more important stuff."

Bentson then took a more serious tone, sharing that he wasn't the only person who ran into the burning home that night.

"I later came to find that his name was James Carrillo, and I would like to share this award with him," said Bentson.

If Carrillo was at the meeting, he did not make his identity known. After the brief speech, the room converged on Bentson to thank him for his bravery.

Bentson's neighbor, Glenda DiDenti, said she was best friends with his grandmother and had known Bentson since he was a child. When asked if she was surprised when she heard that he had risked his life that night, she smiled.

"No, because he's such a sweetie pie."

Robert Bentson wrote about his New Year's Eve experience in a first-hand account on Gilroy Patch. Read his article here.