WLBT 3 - Jackson, MS: Hurricane Victim Meets Her Rescuers

Hurricane Victim Meets Her Rescuers

By Howard Ballou
howard@wlbt.net

In the days following Hurricane Katrina, first responders scrambled to save as many lives as possible. In October, we told you about the miraculous rescue of a Waveland woman from the wreckage of her storm-battered home. Her rescuers have wanted to see how she was doing but there was one problem...they didn't know who she was or where she was...until now.

"She was black and blue from head toe. She was terribly dehydrated."

That was the last image Sgt. Roy Fullerton had of the elderly woman he and seven other troopers rescued. It was two days after Hurricane Katrina and with the help of a coast guard helicopter team, she was whisked away to safety. But who was she? Where is she now? Is she ok?

After weeks of investigation that reached all the way to Quantico, Virginia, those questions were answered.

Donna Mabus, of the State Troopers Association, said, "So many times, these law enforcement folks, state troopers, they help people; never get a chance to see these victims; the people they help, so we thought that this would be something nice to do for them."

And one by one, the rescuers each received hugs and kisses from Joyce Morel in Denham Springs, Louisiana. She says she will return to Waveland, Mississippi as soon as FEMA comes through with her trailer.

Joyce Morel just celebrated her 83rd birthday December 4th, but she admits she never expected a gift like this."

She said, "I'm just so grateful for the troops and everything. They just don't know how much I feel for them.."

She also credits her 56 year-old son, Charlie, for saving her life and keeping her alive for the 2-days they waited for rescue. "I don't even like to remember everything, you know. It's just, I'm just glad that I'm here. I know God must've been with us."

She continued, "Oh, this is a good Christmas. I think this is one of the best I ever had, you know, being alive.."

For Roy Fullerton and the other rescuers, the reunion was a priceless moment that won't soon be forgotten.

"I wanna thank the people that made this all happen. WLBT there out of Jackson. I wanna thank y'all for picking the ball up and running with it the way y'all have and Donna Mabus. Y'all have been absolutely, teetotally, 100-percent responsible for making this happen today."

Sgt. Roy Fullerton and other first responders also suffered personal losses while continuing to serve the public. You can help them by donating to the back up the Badge Relief Effort. For more information go to the Back Up the Badge website .