Is Heroism Genetic?

Heroism must run in Zack Stephney's family.

According to a story on CNN.com, the 37-year-old resident of Douglasville, Ga. recently saved a woman caught in rising flood waters. The noble act came 30 years after his father, Tommie Stephney, died while trying to save three people whose canoe had flipped over in Atlanta's Chattahoochee River.

On September 22nd, Stephney Jr. reported to work at Werner Enterprises, a large trucking company. A group of workers were outside moving rigs away from the flood waters when they saw a car floating towards them. After staring at the car for a bit, the group realized there was a woman inside, Melissa Brooks. As the car started to go under, Brooks climbed out of the window, struggling to stay afloat in the swift-moving water.

Thinking quickly, Stephney ran inside, grabbed a large spool of nylon rope, tied it around himself and jumped into the water. Navigating through the rushing, nearly six-foot-high water proved difficult, but Stephney eventually reached Brooks and grabbed ahold of her. Then, using the nylon rope, the crew at the trucking company pulled the pair back to safety.

As if saving a woman's life weren't enough work for one day, Stephney then showered and put in a full day at the trucking company. We're happy to know that unlike his father, Stephney Jr.'s heroism didn't cost him his life. Call it evolution?

Photo courtesy of stock.xchng.