"He saved my son's life," says an emotional Sheri Kirkland, Mother of eleven year old Jessie Kirkland.

Kirkland she says it's all thanks to Darry Blitch.

Marion County Commissioners agree. Tuesday Blitch received a Heroic Citizen award from commissioners. It's all for what happened a few months ago...

In March Blitch fought off dogs, attacking the boy. Dangerous dog investigators say the boy could have died. Instead he escaped with 100 stitches, thanks to Blitch.

Jessie says, "There's no way to really thank somebody. You're always thankful, you're going be for the rest of your life."

A life that could have been cut short.

Kirkland says she cannot express enough gratitude, "There's no words to describe how thankful we are."

 Anne Imanuel, WCJB TV20 News