Campus security guard thwarts attempted kidnapping
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WENATCHEE, Wash. -- A security guard at Wenatchee Valley College is being hailed as a hero after police say he helped thwart the attempted kidnapping of an 11-year-old girl.
Campus security officer Kevin Edwards said he was making his hourly rounds Saturday when he noticed what he described as a suspicious-looking man. Edwards, 34, kept an eye on the man as the man approached a young girl near the campus library and then put his hands on the girl's shoulders.
"It wasn't until I heard her yell out, 'I don't want to go with you!' that I decided I was going to run in and find out what was going on and try to break this up," Edwards said. "I honestly started trembling. I could hear my heart in my ears."
Edwards, who has been a security guard at the college for about three and a half years, said the girl ran off to tell her parents what happened while he called police and detained the suspect.
Police later arrested John Graff, 43, on suspicion of attempted kidnapping. Graff, who has several prior arrests on his criminal record, is being held on $100,000 bail.
"In our mind he prevented a kidnapping of a small girl," said John Kruse of the Wenatchee Police Department. "(Kevin) did some great work."
The most unexpected of accolades, however, came to Edwards on Wednesday as he was walking through campus. A student there - gray hoodie sweatshirt, jeans, and sneakers - came up to him to recognize him for his heroics.
"Thank you," the woman said, as she shook Edwards' hand. "We're very grateful."
Turns out the woman isn't just any student; she is the girl's mother.
"Nobody thinks that if their kid takes a walk there's going to be an issue," said Sunnie Blagg, her voice tinged with emotion, after meeting Edwards for the first time.
"You just take that for granted. You can never take anything anymore for granted in this world. We're just happy this is a happy outcome and that she's home with us."
Edwards, who also helped police solve another crime in 2010 after a burglar ran through campus, said he is humbled by the experience.
"People have called me a hero and what-not. I, myself, don't believe I'm a hero," he said. "I believe I'm just one man in a million who just happened to save a girl because it was the right thing to do."
Campus security officer Kevin Edwards said he was making his hourly rounds Saturday when he noticed what he described as a suspicious-looking man. Edwards, 34, kept an eye on the man as the man approached a young girl near the campus library and then put his hands on the girl's shoulders.
"It wasn't until I heard her yell out, 'I don't want to go with you!' that I decided I was going to run in and find out what was going on and try to break this up," Edwards said. "I honestly started trembling. I could hear my heart in my ears."
Edwards, who has been a security guard at the college for about three and a half years, said the girl ran off to tell her parents what happened while he called police and detained the suspect.
Police later arrested John Graff, 43, on suspicion of attempted kidnapping. Graff, who has several prior arrests on his criminal record, is being held on $100,000 bail.
"In our mind he prevented a kidnapping of a small girl," said John Kruse of the Wenatchee Police Department. "(Kevin) did some great work."
The most unexpected of accolades, however, came to Edwards on Wednesday as he was walking through campus. A student there - gray hoodie sweatshirt, jeans, and sneakers - came up to him to recognize him for his heroics.
"Thank you," the woman said, as she shook Edwards' hand. "We're very grateful."
Turns out the woman isn't just any student; she is the girl's mother.
"Nobody thinks that if their kid takes a walk there's going to be an issue," said Sunnie Blagg, her voice tinged with emotion, after meeting Edwards for the first time.
"You just take that for granted. You can never take anything anymore for granted in this world. We're just happy this is a happy outcome and that she's home with us."
Edwards, who also helped police solve another crime in 2010 after a burglar ran through campus, said he is humbled by the experience.
"People have called me a hero and what-not. I, myself, don't believe I'm a hero," he said. "I believe I'm just one man in a million who just happened to save a girl because it was the right thing to do."
Kidnappings are taking place in many ways. We can no longer afford to hide why and how the activity is occuring. If we do the enemy will take us over. What will you be like should that happen?
www.escapethegrasp.com
"Nobody thinks that if their kid takes a walk there's going to be an issue," Not sure about her, but my parents always did. They didn't let me wander about as a kid until I was much much older, and even then it was usually with a bunch of other kids.  It's not that it's a *likely* thing to happen, just that the consequences can be so severe it's something they made precautions about. Like wearing your seatbelt. Thank goodness this guy stepped up! A definite hero indeed!
I think this gentleman is a good reminder that we should ALL do the right thing. He is a perfect example of how humanity should be. Thank you Sir, you most certainly are a hero in my book.
Well done sir! You may well have saved this girl's life. The suspect should be tried to the fullest extent of the law
He has performed a heroic deed, now it is time for justice to do the same. That SOB should have a million dollar bail setting, not 100 thousand. We need to protect this man from retaliation by the perp who already has a criminal history. Get serious on crime!!
People getting involved - not looking the other way. Excellent!
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It doesn't matter if you're an 11 year old girl or not.  It's the right thing to do.
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Thank you.
A great human being and an inspiration. So glad the parents didn't loose their little girl and this person cared enough to pay attention and do the right thing.Â
power to the mall cop
Right on. One more example why school security guards are a good idea. Now add some humpf to it ...
thanks Mr. Edwards! Great Job.
Real men do feel fear, and do the right thing anyway. Â Thank you for being a true hero, even if you are uncomfortable with the title. Â
Heroes don't go looking for accolades. Heroes do the right thing at the right time despite their fears, trepidations, and doubt. He said he was trembling, he was scared. But he managed to not just do his "job". He managed to do what was right. You are a hero. You may not think it, feel it or ask for it. "Hero" is a title that is bestowed upon those few people who are truly worthy of such respect. You sir have my absolute respect and gratitude.
Mr. Edwards - you are a hero. Too many people don't want to get involved - you have shown you are willing.
This guy reminds me of Bruce Willis in Unbreakable! :)  Seriously though, I'm not a religious person but this guy is like an angel walking among us.  He could see the despicable/repulsive motivations running through this perverts twisted mind once he laid eyes on him.  He acted upon his instincts(which were spot on) and now we don't have to read another sad story about a child getting hurt.  Well done Mr. Edwards, HERO!
Way to go hero. I think you just saved a life. Poor girl. I am glad you were there, no telling what this monster woudl have done. My prayers with with the little girl and her parents. What a scary thing to happen. Glad all is ok thanks to the heroic efforts fromt his angel
See Something - Feel Something - Say Something - DO SOMETHING!!!
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Kudos, Indeed!!
 @_Monte_ I agree, the old saying holds, I am my brothers keeper. We all need to watch each others backs theses days.Â
Kudos Mr Edwards. You ARE a hero, if for nothing else, for getting involved. You quite possibly saved a young girl's life, and had that young girl been one of mine, I would have been eternally grateful.
"It wasn't until I heard her yell out, 'I don't want to go with you!' that I decided I was going to run in and find out what was going on and try to break this up," Edwards said. "I honestly started trembling. I could hear my heart in my ears."
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You don't know if the perp has a gun, you put your own life in line despite you own fears.....
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That sir, makes you a hero.
 @path_tech "Courage is being scared to Death, but Saddling up Anyways" - The Duke, John Wayne
"your" own fears....  one keystroke away....
"I believe I'm just one man in a million who just happened to save a girl because it was the right thing to do."
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And you were in the right place at the right time.
Mr. Edwards, you may have very well saved that young lady's life. Â Job well done, sir.
Its good to hear something good happen, good for you Mr. Edwards.
Great job, keep up the good work Mr Edwards.
It's nice to see a guy take his job seriously! Â We may never know what he may have prevented. Â I would also be interested in seeing this perp's rap sheet. Â I wonder if this guy even belong on campus?
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I'd like to see a follow-up on this story. Â
 @K. Coleman A follow-up and complete rap-sheet, along with the mugshot of Mr. John Graff.