Homeless Men Save Boat Owner Who Slips Into Channel

Hank Silverberg, WTOP Radio

WASHINGTON - Three homeless men are being hailed as heroes.

When William Slaughter, a Washington Marina boat owner, slipped on an ice-covered dock and fell into the Washington Channel Monday night, three homeless men heard his cries.

Duke "Showtime" Kelley and DeLeon Butler helped Floyd Lipscomb climb the 7-foot fence. Lipscomb then ran down the dock and grabbed onto Slaughter. He couldn't pull Slaughter from the water, but he did hold onto the man.

As he held on, Kelley and Butler flagged down D.C. Harbor Patrol Officer Hilliard Dean who had already been called to the area to look for somebody in the water.

Kelley and Butler then boosted Dean over the fence so he could get to the scene. Dean and Lipscomb pulled Slaughter from the frigid waters right near the Fish Market.

"He couldn't pull himself out. He was too cold," Dean said.

One of the homeless men reassured Slaughter he would survive, Dean says.

"All [Slaughter] knew was the homeless person who was holding on to his one arm had told him to stay with him. [The homeless man said,] 'I got you. You're not going to go anywhere. You're not going to die tonight. I have you. I have,'" Dean says.

Slaughter, who suffered hypothermia, said he had been wearing dress shoes on the icy dock when he slipped. Once he was in the water, Slaughter says he slipped under the water and the homeless man pulled his head from the water.

Two of the homeless men wrapped Slaughter in their blankets as Dean went back to make sure the ambulance crew knew the location.

Slaughter says he is extremely grateful to the three men.

In all of the confusion, officers did not find out much about the homeless men. They only know they stay in a nearby shelter but have not been able to find them. Officers are hoping the men come forward so they can be thanked. They also say they want to give Lipscomb an award as he did the greatest deed.

Anyone who knows where the men are is asked to call the Harbor Patrol at 202-727-4582.

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