Click play to see Khaleel Sutherland honored by the Coral Springs City Commission.
By Kevin Deutsch
A Coral Springs teen who evacuated his family from their burning home received an award from the city Thursday for his heroism.
Thirteen-year-old Khaleel Sutherland Jr. woke up on Nov. 29 around 4:30 a.m. to make some oatmeal “when he heard a loud bang, smelled smoke, and noticed black stuff on the walls” from a suspected electrical fire, said Deputy Chief John Whalen of the Coral Springs-Parkland Fire Department.
Khaleel immediately woke his parents and told his father they needed to get out of the house, firefighters said. The parents and their three children evacuated the home and called 911.
“Although the home sustained pretty heavy damage, the family was safe and uninjured thanks to the quick thinking and quick action of Khaleel Sutherland Jr.,” Whalen said at Thursday’s Coral Springs City Commission meeting, where Khaleel received the award.
“Had he not taken the steps to get his family out of the house, both the home and his family would have been at much greater risk for a profound loss,” Whalen said. “Not only is your family proud of you, the entire community is proud of you … you’re going to remember this the rest of your life.”
Commissioner Joy Carter presented Khaleel with the award “in recognition of your heroism and bravery.”
“Your immediate actions helped to get everyone out of the house safely and quickly and protect them from fire and smoke injury,” Carter said.
The audience at City Hall gave Khaleel a standing ovation as he accepted the honor.
“Congratulations, you’re a hero,” Carter said.
Khaleel also received free Florida Panthers tickets in recognition of his bravery.
Khaleel’s parents, Khaleel Sutherland Sr. and Erica Sutherland, said they were immensely proud.
“He’s wise beyond his years; he teaches me things every day that help me in my life,” Erica Sutherland told Coral Springs Talk. “He’s always doing something that just amazes us.”
An avid gamer and athlete, Khaleel plays soccer for Coral Springs Charter School and plays travel soccer for SSC Springs Soccer Club, his parents said.
“He’s a standup guy within his community,” Erica Sutherland said. “We just love him beyond words.”
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Author Profile
- Kevin Deutsch is an award-winning journalist and author of two nonfiction books. He covers general assignment news and Jewish community issues for Talk Media. He has also worked as a staff writer at The Miami Times, the Rio Grande SUN, the New York Daily News, Newsday, The Miami Herald, The Palm Beach Post, The Riverdale Press, and Bronx Justice News.
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