Charles Albert Poland, Jr., a 66 year old Vietnam Veteran and school bus driver for Dale County, AL school district died on January 29, 2013 from gun shot wounds suffered while performing a heroic act of saving 21 children's lives.
The bus was boarded by Jimmy Lee Dykes, an armed anti-government “survivalist” who stated he would kill them all. Poland opened the school bus exit door and stood in the isle to block Dykes' access to the children. When Dykes demanded two children to take as hostages and Poland refused, Poland was shot four times.
One child was taken hostage, the other 20 escaped from the exit door at the rear of the bus. If not for Poland's unselfish act of bravery, 21 children could have met their deaths. He is a true American hero.