Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
On this date ...
1973: Charlie Shields was a star athlete at Clovis High School, leading the football team in rushing and winning hurdles events for the track team.
Some even called him a hero - but not for sports. His actions may have saved lives at least twice that summer.
Clovis Mayor Chick Taylor presented Shields an award for saving the life of an 11-year-old boy at Potter Park's swimming pool, the Clovis News-Journal reported.
Shields, working as a lifeguard at the pool on July 4, noticed William Scott jump into the water from the low diving board. As Shields watched, the boy appeared to "double up" under the water and failed to resurface.
The newspaper reported Shields rescued the boy and began resuscitation efforts with Steve Sena, another lifeguard.
The boy, who said he suffered a stomach cramp after diving into the water, recovered after a brief hospital stay.
That wasn't the first time Shields was credited with preventing tragedy in the summer of 1973. The first time, he fished a young girl from the pool upon realizing she needed help after swallowing a large quantity of water.
Shields and Sena in August were honored by the New Mexico Committee on Children and Youth with the "Outstanding Youth" award for July.
Pages Past is compiled by David Stevens. Contact him at:
