Two Dixon Residents Honored for Bravery in Knife Incident

Two residents of Dixon, Illinois, were honored on September 15, 2023, for their courageous actions during a life-threatening incident earlier in the month. At a city council meeting, Dixon Police Chief Ryan Bivins presented Hayden Sweet and Jeremey Hunter with an Award of Valor for intervening when a man armed with a knife chased another individual at Huffy’s Marathon gas station on September 3.

According to the Dixon Police Department, Ian O. Dunbar, 27, is facing multiple charges, including aggravated battery and assault, following the incident. He is currently held at the Lee County Jail after being denied pretrial release during a hearing on September 4. Dunbar’s next court appearance is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. on September 17.

On the day of the incident, police received a call at approximately 10:30 a.m. regarding a disturbance involving a knife at the gas station on 707 N. Galena Ave.. Before law enforcement arrived, Sweet and Hunter stepped in to deescalate the situation, acting bravely in a moment of crisis. Deputy Chief Aaron Simonton remarked on the rarity of such selfless actions, noting that many bystanders today choose to record incidents on their phones instead of intervening.

Hunter, having heard screams near his home, witnessed Dunbar pursuing another man with a knife. He pursued them to the gas station, where the two individuals were running around the pumps. Sweet, who was on his way to work, also took action upon seeing the unfolding scene. He exited his vehicle and tackled Dunbar, sustaining an injury to his hand while attempting to disarm him. Hunter then assisted, successfully retrieving the knife from Dunbar.

Following this, Hunter engaged calmly with Dunbar, managing to deescalate the situation further to the point where Dunbar permitted him to embrace him. Simonton described this act as a sincere demonstration of Hunter’s compassion and humanity.

The city council meeting included a viewing of security footage from the gas station, showcasing Sweet wrestling Dunbar to the ground while Hunter kicked the knife away. Simonton expressed that it is uncommon for a citizen to confront a potentially deadly situation to protect a stranger.

“You answered the call, which is a testament to your character and bravery,” Simonton stated to Sweet and Hunter. “Due to your actions, you not only prevented a potential violent incident but also embodied the meaning of selflessness. Your response in serving a fellow citizen in need has not gone unnoticed, and you have earned our utmost respect and gratitude.”

In a community where such acts of bravery are not frequently witnessed, Sweet and Hunter’s actions serve as a reminder of the power of human compassion and bravery in the face of danger.