Robert C. Hughes of Oakville is the recipient of the 2006 Good Citizen of the Year Award presented by the Grand Jury Association of St. Louis’ Good Citizenship Fund Inc.

Hughes was presented the award for his courage in dragging a man away from a burning vehicle on Jan. 20, according to a news release.

That evening, Hughes, a KTVI cameraman, was working as a night-watch cameraman in the area of Grand and West Florissant.

He heard a loud collision and drove to the corner of East Grand and 20th Street, where he found a vehicle against a building engulfed in flames. As Hughes approached the vehicle to film the incident, he saw a man lying in the grass between the burning car and the building.

The victim was unconscious and his pants were ablaze.

Hughes dragged the man from the burning vehicle just as police arrived. The victim was sent to an area hospital, where he was admitted alive, but in critical condition.

“Here is a man who not only reports news, but made news, and now is in the news,” Raymond Brodzinski, president of the Good Citizenship Fund, stated in the release. “Mr. Hughes was more concerned that day about saving a man’s life than reporting a tragic death. It is because of his courage and selfless act of kindness that we commend and are very proud to present him with our Good Citizen of the Year 2006 Award.”

The Good Citizenship Fund of the Grand Jury Association of St. Louis honors the special and personal efforts by St. Louis citizens.

Tax-exempt contributions may be mailed to Treasurer Thomas Mullen, 5236 Shaw Ave., St. Louis, 63110.

This award is made possible through the support of American Legion South St. Louis Memorial Post No. 37 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Santiago-Argonne Post No. 1102.