Surrounded by family, friends and fellow scouts, Trenton Sabo was honored Jan. 31 for his valiant attempt to save a man’s life last year.

The Eagle Scout received the Boy Scouts of America’s (BSA) Medal of Merit during the Troop 366 Court of Honor ceremony held in the sanctuary of Oxford United Methodist Church on E. Burdick St.

“This is an extremely rare award,” explained Scott Kiefer, chair of the BSA Pontiac-Manito District, part of the Great Lakes Field Service Council, which encompasses Oakland, Macomb and Wayne counties.

According to Kiefer, who presented the medal, about 250 scouts nationwide earned this honor in 2015. Only eight scouts within the Great Lakes Field Service Council received the medal last year, he said.

The Medal of Merit is one of four national awards the BSA presents for lifesaving and meritorious action. It’s presented to a scout who “has performed an act of service (marked by) rare or exceptional character that reflects an uncommon degree of concern for the well-being of others.”

Sabo, a senior at Oxford High School, earned the medal for attempting to save the life of a 55-year-old Pontiac man, Roy Guthery III, who went into cardiac arrest on Feb. 5, 2016 while shooting hoops at Basketball America in Orion Township.

Following Guthery’s collapse, Sabo immediately sprang into action and assessed his condition. There was no pulse, no breathing and no time to waste.

Sabo began administering cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), an emergency procedure for which he had been certified by the American Red Cross as part of his scouting career.

Kiefer told the audience he found it “interesting” that “no other adult” at the scene came to Guthery’s aid or offered to assist Sabo.

“Trenton was taking care of this situation all by himself,” he said.

The young scout continued to perform chest compressions until emergency medical personnel arrived and took over.

Unfortunately, Guthery didn’t make it.

But that doesn’t diminish Sabo’s deeds.

“Trenton’s quick and decisive actions have earned him the Boy Scouts of America’s Medal of Merit,” Kiefer said.

In addition to the medal, Sabo was presented a “Special Tribute” from the State of Michigan signed by Gov. Rick Snyder, Lt. Gov. Brian Calley, State Sen. Jim Marleau and State Rep. John Reilly.