Jeff Willis, center, is recognized along with his son by the Meridian City Council on Tuesday for their recent actions saving a young girl from a house fire. Pictured, front row from left, are Councilwoman Ty Bell Lindsey, Willis and Councilman Joe Norwood Jr.; back row, from left, Councilwoman Romande Walker and Councilmen George Thomas and Dwayne Davis.

The Meridian City Council took time out of its meeting on Tuesday to recognize two local heroes for their recent actions rescuing a young girl from a house fire.

A recounting of the event recently gained a lot of attention on the Queen City Social Facebook page, which is used for community news, notices and events.

Capt. Jeff Willis, a Meridian resident who works for the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation, and his son, Justus, an Army ROTC cadet at the University of Southern Mississippi, were traveling home after doing some holiday shopping about noon on Nov. 22 when they spotted black smoke coming from a nearby home.

The two men knocked on the door of the home and alerted a young girl who was unaware her home was burning. Jeff Willis also helped coordinate responding members of Meridian Police Department and Meridian Fire Department, while his son used his Spanish language skills to help first responders communicate with family who did not speak English.

Joyce Day Lane, who lives next door and witnessed the fire, said the community is fortunate to have residents like Jeff and Justus Willis who will stop and help when needed. Watching the scene unfold, she said, she saw how Jeff’s 20 plus years of law enforcement experience was put into action as police and fire personnel followed his lead in handling the crisis.

“Everyone from the fire department, from the police department, they recognized he was a leader and they let him lead,” she said. “I was so impressed at that, and I’m thrilled to have met Jeff and have got to know him just for an instant.”

Jeff Willis, who attended Tuesday’s council meeting alone as his son had resumed classes at USM, said it is an honor to be recognized. The response to the fire, he said, was a joint effort with MPD, MFD, other citizens, himself and his son all contributing to address the situation.

“It wasn’t a one- or two-man show,” he said.

Willis said Meridian’s first responders also deserve recognition for their efforts keeping the community safe, and he wanted to thank MPD and MFD on behalf of himself and his son.

Councilwoman Ty Bell Lindsey said she wants to recognize the father and son for their actions and is glad for the opportunity to celebrate their heroics.

“I’m just so proud to know you,” she said.