Hugo Alfredo Tale-Yax is a HERO

Mr Hugo Alfredo Tale-Yax is being described as a "homeless" man who bled to death on a New York street as dozens walked by without stopping to help him.

I had not heard of Mr Tale-Yax until today but, according to news reports, there is a woman in New York who owes her life to him, even as she also had no idea who this hero is.

On April 18, an armed mugger attacked a so far nameless woman. Hugo Alfredo Tale-Yax stepped in, and lost his life saving this stranger. The woman whose life Mr Tale-Yax saved, has not been seen since. Nobody seems to know who she is. Police investigating this senseless death have issued a description of both the killer, and the woman whose is alive today, thanks to Mr Tale-Yax:

Police have been searching for the suspect described as 5'6", medium build, who was last seen wearing a green short sleeved shirt and dark pants with a green hat. Cops say he fled the scene armed with a knife.

Investigators are also looking for the female victim who is described as 5'3", thin build, wearing a 3/4 length jacket and a skirt.

Anyone with information about this homicide is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS. The public may also submit tips to the website www.nypdcrimestoppers.com or text tips to 274637(CRIMES) then enter TIP577. (source)

Many aspects of this story are so WRONG! I don't care how many psychologists pontificate on the 'reasons' why 25 people walked by this tragedy, without stopping to help Mr Tale-Yax. To my mind, not one of those 'reasons' is worth a spit.

I suppose some Americans will read this story, watch the shocking video, and smugly say something along the lines of 'Oh, that's just New York. Would never happen here.'

Newsflash: This type of behaviour happens EVERYWHERE in Anytown, USA and beyond. Yes, not only is it a jungle out there, but apparently ignorant cowards are also prevalent on street corners other than just at 88 Road and 144th Street.

Apparently, at least one witness to the needless death of Mr Tale-Yax stopped to take a picture on his cell phone. Another passerby stopped long enough to peer into the dying hero's face before he - too - walked on without helping.

WTH is wrong with us? Have we really lost so much of our individual humanity that we can ignore another's suffering, even when it is right in front of us?

I thank God that Hugo Alfredo Tale-Yax had enough humanity to step up and save this woman's life. And, where is that woman now? She 'fled the scene.' I don't care who she is, she OWES this hero her life, and should have the decency to come forward and help the police identify this scum.

There is SO much wrong with this story, that I have trouble being articulate. (Have you noticed?) I have no tolerance for any excuses for how anyone responded - or didn't - in this outrageous murder.

Nothing anyone can say or do will bring Mr Tale-Yax back. I would like to think, however, that all those people who walked past him as he lay dying will come forward and assist the police.

These people proved they can't be counted on to do the right thing for altruistic reasons, so I offer one compelling reason why they should do everything they can to identify this murderer who still walks among them. The original victim - who Mr Tale-Yax saved - may have been a stranger to us all. Her rescuer, - the ONLY hero in this terrible event - Hugo Alfredo Tale-Yax,
was also a stranger to most of us prior to his death.

Let's suppose for just an instant that all involved in this tragedy were not strangers to you. Let's imagine that the woman, and her hero rescuer, are people you know and love. Would you still just keep on walking by, refusing to get involved?

Fact is, I expect Hugo Alfredo Tale-Yax IS loved by someone, just as the young woman who fled the scene is known and loved.

Mr Hugo Alfredo Tale-Yax paid the ultimate price for helping a stranger. I have deliberately repeated his name throughout this piece. To me, this man's name is synonymous with hero. We all would do well to learn something from his unselfish actions, and remember his name:
Mr Hugo Alfredo Tale-Yax.

Rest in Peace, Sir.