Army sophomore safety Larry Pickett Jr. doesn\u2019t remember a word spoken as his family came upon a car crashed into a utility pole early Sunday morning in Fort Montgomery, N.Y., a few miles from the West Point campus.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere was no conversation,\u201d Pickett Jr. told The Athletic, but there was quick processing and action.<\/p>\n
The car had hit the pole seconds earlier; that was clear from the smoke emanating from it. A downed power line meant grave danger for anyone in the car. A few bystanders had gathered, watching. Larry Pickett Sr. put the car in park, and father and son raced to the driver\u2019s side of the crashed BMW.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe knew that car was about to catch on fire and whoever was in there was going to burn up, and we couldn\u2019t just watch and let that happen,\u201d Pickett Jr. said. \u201cWe got out, ran over, jumped over the power line, opened the door. He still had his seatbelt on.\u201d<\/p>\n
The driver was unresponsive. The Picketts got the seat belt off and dragged him out. Pickett Jr.\u2019s sister Lauren was taking a video at this point, capturing Pickett Sr. falling to the ground a couple of feet from the car. At that point, his wife, Shawnonne, yelled: \u201cLarry! Come on! Come on, get him out!\u201d<\/p>\n
He quickly regained his footing, and the Picketts dragged the driver across the street. The car burst into flames moments later.<\/p>\n
Risk taken, life saved. A first responder later came up to Pickett Jr. and summed it up in five words: \u201cYou are a hero, sir.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat if we got there just a minute later?\u201d Pickett Jr. said Monday, thinking back on a rescue that has earned praise from coast to coast and texts from people he hasn\u2019t talked to in years. \u201cI honestly don\u2019t think anyone else would have gone up to that car just because of the power line, and unfortunately, he would have died.\u201d<\/p>\n
The driver, who told the Picketts his name was David, came to quickly and repeatedly expressed disbelief that he had just crashed into the pole. Pickett Jr. at one point told him, \u201cListen, you are blessed.\u201d<\/p>\n
The driver denied drinking that night and was eventually able to stand and head toward an ambulance so he could go to a hospital for observation. A Town of Highlands (N.Y.) police spokesperson said Monday that the incident did not result in any charges.<\/p>\n
Pickett Jr. said he hadn\u2019t yet heard from the driver as of Monday, but he heard a lot about his rescue from teammates and coaches when the Black Knights convened for practice Sunday. Pickett Jr.\u2019s debut came Thursday, recording one tackle in Army\u2019s 30-27 upset loss<\/a> to Tarleton State. A little more than 48 hours later, he served as a reminder of the bigger picture of being a cadet.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is exactly what we strive to develop at @WestPoint_USMA & @GoArmyWestPoint \u2013 leadership, courage and selfless service,\u201d Army athletic director Tom Theodorakis posted on X.<\/a> \u201cCadet Larry Pickett Jr., and his father exemplify the values we hold dear, stepping up in a moment of crisis to save a life. Proud to see these traits in action, on and off the fields of friendly strife. Count the brave.\u201d<\/p>\n Army head coach Jeff Monken also praised Pickett Jr. on social media.<\/p>\n Larry\u2019s heroic actions embody everything we strive to instill in our cadet-athletes \u2014 courage, selflessness, and a willingness to put others before themselves. In that critical moment, he didn\u2019t think of himself, only of helping another person in need. We are incredibly proud of\u2026 https:\/\/t.co\/BaNpq8zHez<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Jeff Monken (@CoachJeffMonken) September 1, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n