Trooper First Class Nathan Bradley meet Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal.
The Georgia State trooper who made headlines after spending Halloween night with four orphaned siblings was honored Thursday with a trip to the Capitol.
Deal thanked Bradley for going above and beyond the call of duty that night when Donald and Crystal Howard were killed while returning from what was supposed to be a quick trip to the store for more candy and face paint for the kids. The Howards’ four children were wearing costumes when Bradley arrived at the Morgan County home to check on the children.
“He told me the fact that it was spontaneous made it even better,” Bradley said.
Instead of waiting for the children’s grandmother to arrive from Florida after the fatal crash, Bradley decided he’d take care of the four himself, taking them to dinner and then to his post for movies and treats. Bradley later set up a fundraising page that topped $490,000 by late Thursday.
On Thursday, Bradley’s new wife, mom, mother-in-law and all of his command staff made the trip to Atlanta to witness him being honored. Bradley enjoyed getting a sneak-peak at the Governor’s office.
“It was just a really neat experience,” Bradley said.
The four Howard children are now living with their grandmother and aunt in Florida, where they’re adjusting to life without their parents. Bradley keeps in touch with the family, he said. And he continues to be amazed how much attention he’s gotten since the night of the crash.
“I still don’t think I’m that great of a guy,” Bradley said.
The governor thought otherwise.
About the Author
