Heroes

Heroic Neighbors Save Man from Gator, Win Jay Leno Tickets

Published

3 weeks ago

February 23, 2025

Joy Love

Walt Rudder (right) poses with alligator whose attack he foiled – By Rick Fingeret

Quick Smiles:

Florida man survives a terrifying alligator attack thanks to quick-thinking neighbors.
Rick Fingeret’s neighbors drove over the gator with an SUV to save him.
The heroic rescue earned the neighbors tickets to see Jay Leno live.

In a gripping tale of courage and community spirit, a Florida man named Rick Fingeret found himself in an unexpected battle for survival against a massive alligator. As he strolled down a Naples street with his dogs, an 11-foot-long gator suddenly charged at him, jaws wide open.

“I tripped in all the frenzy,” Fingeret recounted, vividly recalling the moment he fell and the gator clamped down. “He got me.”

Despite the terrifying situation, Fingeret retained his composure, determined not to pass out and become easy prey. He began fighting back, trying to pry open the beast’s jaws and poking its eyes, all while holding onto his dogs’ leashes.

The situation took a dramatic turn when neighbors Walt Rudder and Paula Keegan happened to drive by. Initially thinking Fingeret had simply fallen, they quickly realized the gravity of the situation. Rudder described Fingeret’s calm demeanor as “supernatural” as he instructed them to secure his dogs and use their vehicle to run over the gator.

Rudder didn’t hesitate. He drove his Lincoln SUV over the gator’s midsection, which incredibly withstood the impact and retreated to the pond. The neighbors then used a t-shirt and dog leash to stop Fingeret’s bleeding until help arrived.

The heroic actions of Rudder and Keegan forged an unbreakable bond between them and Fingeret. To show his gratitude, Fingeret nominated them for a local contest, which awarded them tickets to see Jay Leno at a nearby arena.

In a twist of fate, the alligator was later captured by specialists, and remarkably, Fingeret emerged with no broken bones, torn ligaments, or severe injuries. As Fingeret’s story spread, it served as a testament to the power of community and quick thinking in the face of danger.