An 88-year-old crossing guard named Bob Nill had spent the last five years of his life working as a crossing guard in Kansas City, Kansas. According to those who knew him, Mr. Nill loved children, and the children all loved him for taking time out of his day to help them safely cross the street.
Tragically, on Wednesday, Nill was killed by a speeding vehicle while defending the lives of two children.
According to a witness at the scene, it appeared as though Nill saw a vehicle approaching at a dangerous rate of speed. At that moment, he looked to the two children, aged 8 and 11, and held his arms up, telling them to stop. According to the witness, Nill likely saved those children’s lives.
The speeding vehicle that killed Nill was a large, black SUV. Details of the vehicle, such as the make and model, were not immediately made available. The reason the vehicle was speeding, or why it sped away from the accident, were also not known right away. Accident lawyers and other officials will make those details clear in the coming days.
Police stated that Nill didn’t die on the scene, and was instead taken to a nearby hospital to be treated for his wounds.
Sadly, the heroic crossing guard succumbed to his wounds shortly after arriving at the hospital. The cheerful, beloved community figure literally put his life on the line to defend children, heroically saving their lives in the face of certain danger.
“He loved the kids. He was very friendly to everyone he spoke with,” said Cathy Fithian, the principal of nearby Christ the King Parish Catholic School.
“They lit up when they talked to him.” Fithian had only good things to say about Nill, adding that the kids even got him gifts for Valentine’s Day.
“On Valentine’s Day, they had given him gifts and cards,” the principal told reporters. “We’re blessed to have him in our lives.”
Fithian stated that he should be remembered as much for his good cheer as for his heroism. He often wore a Kansas City Chiefs scarf when he worked as a crossing guard, and was elated with his team’s recent Super Bowl victory.
Most of all, Nill will be remembered as a selfless hero who saved two young lives, not for the glory of it, but because it was the right thing to do.
