Click here to visit our YouTube Channel to watch video of Tristan Coxwell interview with Dallas/Forth Worth media

Young Hero Awarded Key to the City

Denise Bell
Post Managing Editor

July 8, 2009

At last nights meeting of the Forney City Council, Forney Fire Chief Rick Townsend opened the crowded meeting by recognizing Forney’s youngest hero, Tristan Coxwell.

Townsend explained that “On the morning of June 11th the area was hit by a storm with very severe rains and lightening. Nine year old Tristan was home with his mom and baby sister when lightening struck and went through the wires in the home and then out through a light fixture.”

Reportedly, when the lightening struck it came through the recess lighting, hit a pan that Tristan’s mom Kimberly Krone was holding, and then bounced off the pan striking Krone in the chest.

The lightening jolt knocked Krone to the ground where she instantly lost the feeling on the left side of her body and was only able to whisper for Tristan to call “Mamaw”.

Instead, the youngster reacted quickly by calling 9-1-1, where he spoke with Cpl. Charlotte Marrinan of the Kaufman County Sheriff’s Office who asked Tristan to stay on the phone while emergency services were dispatched.

Tristan was honored by the North Texas Council of Governments, the Kaufman County Sheriff’s Office, the Forney Fire Department and the Forney City Council for his poised 9-1-1 call and for saving the life of his mother by calmly answering questions and following instructions which aided in providing detailed information on his mothers condition.

Kimberly Krone was temporarily paralyzed on her left side for about three days and apparently it was “Tristan’s fast thinking that saved his mothers life.”

North Texas Council of Governments Public Educator, Chistie Eskew, also honored Tristan will a Certificate of Achievement and Medal of Heroism along with a 9-1-1 Hero T-Shirt.

Next, very surprised and obviously thrilled by the gesture, Tristan was presented with his very own “Key to the City” by City of Forney Mayor Darren Rozell.

Smiling and thoroughly enjoying the much deserved recognition, each Forney City Council Member stepped up to shake Tristan’s hand and congratulate him on a job well done.

Exiting the building, Tristan gave an impromptu interview with two area television channels explaining his actions and how he felt about being heralded as a hero.

Post readers are highly encouraged to view the video clips of Tristan Coxwell being honored as a 9-1-1 Hero and of Tristan giving his first TV interview on our YouTube Channel.

A really big Forney Post “Hats Off” to Tristan Coxwell, a true Forney Hero!