Posted on January 31, 2002 at 10:20 a.m.

BIRMINGHAM, AL — A UAB Hospital employee who heroically brought a violent mentally ill person under control in a local McDonald’s restaurant has been selected as the Citizen of the Year by the Metropolitan Criminal Justice Executive Association.

UAB Police Chief Harry Marzette, a member of the association, presented Andre Todd, 29, with a plaque at an awards celebration January 25. Marzette nominated Todd for the award. Todd is a physical therapist attendant in outpatient physical therapy at UAB Hospital.

February 8, 2001 seemed like a normal day when Todd entered the McDonald's on 6th Avenue South amid the hustle and bustle of Southside’s lunchtime traffic. While Todd stood in line, a mentally ill person entered the restaurant and began arbitrarily punching, slapping and kicking customers and hitting them with food trays. Pandemonium ensued as customers screamed and ducked or tried to run out of the store.

“Acting without hesitation, Mr. Todd was able to recruit other patrons to physically subdue the suspect until UAB, Birmingham Police and Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service arrived on the scene,” Marzette said.

“Mr. Todd’s quick and effective actions, both personally and as a facilitator for other patrons, without concern for his own safety under such hostile and dangerous conditions, speaks highly of his personal courage and great sense of service for the community,” Marzette wrote in his letter of nomination.

The danger was real, Marzette said, noting that several victims were sent to the emergency room and some were even hospitalized.

The Metropolitan Criminal Justice Executive Association is a group of criminal justice executives including judges, sheriffs, police chiefs and security directors who work together to promote enhanced law enforcement services in the Birmingham area.