Local woman awarded for saving child

Jennifer Martin, of Willow Springs, was recognized by Governor Kehoe last week for saving a child from a freezing pond. Martin describes it as “not an act of heroism, but an act of a human being.” 

 

On February 20th, 2025, Martin was watching her son from her window overlooking a large neighborhood pond across the road from her home. When she noticed a nine-year old boy beginning to step out onto the ice. Despite the high temperature of the day being 14 degrees, Martin recognized the ice may not hold. As the child got to the deeper part of the pond, she saw him disappear from the surface. Martin rushed out her door, throwing a coat and untied boots on, stumbling down a snow-packed hill towards the pond. 

 

As she began her run towards the child in need, she called to her own son to call first responders. Her son, Caleb, successfully called first responders to the scene, and was the first contact for them in their arrival on the scene. For Caleb, it was the first time he made a phone call by himself, noted last Tuesday’s presentation in Jefferson City.

 

Jeff Ward, Willow Springs ambulance administrator, was first on the scene. He expected the worst when he heard the call, and finding the boy safe and in no need of medical attention was a shock. After leaving the boy with the other EMTs, Ward checked on Martin herself. He noted she was still drying off and showed visible redness of the extremities, normal for extreme temperature exposure to bare skin. Both Martin and the boy did not receive further medical attention and recovered fully.

 

When asked about her perceived danger of the situation, Martin remarked, “When you hear a kid screaming, you don’t hesitate. Nobody is going to hesitate.”

 

On the frozen pond that day, Martin crawled on all fours across the pond to reach the child, braving the loud groans and cracking of the ice. Upon reaching the child, Martin found him hanging on the edge of the ice, weighed down by his clothing. The child and Martin worked together and were able to pull him to the surface and start their sprint back to the bank. Martin told Howell County News it was nothing short of a miracle the ice continued to hold for the both of them despite just breaking underneath the child.

 

Following a nomination by Willow Springs Fire Chief Andy Logan, and Ward from the Willow Springs Ambulance District, Martin received the Public Safety Civilian Partnership award on September 15 in Jefferson City for her actions resulting in the rescue of the child. Martin was one of two recipients in the entire state of the award.

 

Logan, when asked for a statement on his decision to nominate her, pointed to her actions, willingness to risk oneself, and competent rescue despite being untrained. Ward noted similar characteristics, sharing that even on the scene, it was agreed Martin needed recognition. Both Logan and Ward hailed her actions as heroic and noted the child would likely not have been able to resurface without Martin's help

 

Despite the lofty award and first responder testimony, Martin remains adamant she is not a hero. Pointing to her actions as a representation of the community of Willow Springs, rather than a personal accolade. 

 

Martin is currently a vocational rehabilitation professional in West Plains, Missouri, but served Willow Springs as an educator for eleven years. Even in her new role, she notes her work often intersects with juniors and seniors back in Willow Springs and still values her work and contributions to the community.

 

Publisher’s note: A teaser article in the September 16 edition incorrectly identified Martin as a firefighter. She is now, and at the time of the rescue, a civilian.