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A LaGrange City Councilman has been recognized for his heroic action saving a young woman from being beaten outside a local high school.

Councilman Nathan Gaskin was presented a donation and plaque during Tuesday’s LaGrange City Council meeting for his heroic actions to save a female student who was being assaulted near Troup High School.

Troup County Marshal Jorge Olmo Novoa presented Gaskin with a $1.000 check on behalf of Mike Hudson, from the VFW, and several citizens from LaGrange. The money will go toward the Saving Our Son program in Gaskin’s honor.

“Mr. Gaskin displayed courage and great attitude by stepping up and defending a lady who was under attack by four individuals at one of our local schools,” Olma Novoa said. “In 27 years of law enforcement, I wish that more people — all citizens— would step up and take ownership of our communities. We need that greatly.” 

Gaskin said he had been waiting in his truck for his grandson inside the store near Troup High when he heard a commotion. Upon investigation, he discovered four subjects severely beating a young lady, so he intervened. 

“I did what I knew to do, grab ahold and just start tossing people,” Gaskin said. “It wasn’t, in my opinion, a heroic action but as a father, as a member of the community and as a fellow human being, this is what we’re supposed to do. We’re supposed to help one another when we’re in trouble.”

The fight occurred on the afternoon of Oct. 25, according to an incident report from the LaGrange Police Department. 

The 17-year-old female victim had been walking from Troup High when she reportedly got into a verbal and physical altercation with two other young women when two males jumped in and began hitting and kicking her, according to the report.

A school resource officer at THS said the same individuals had just gotten into a fight on school grounds.

Due to the ages of those involved and the incident being mutual combat, officers allowed the school to handle discipline for the fight internally.

Gaskin received a minor injury to his face as a result of the incident.

“Recognizing your heroic actions as one of our councilmen, I want to personally thank you as well, Mr. Gaskin for all that you do,” Mayor Willie Edmondson said. “You did something that was heroic, but at the same time, humanitarian. So thank you so very much.”