A MAN who intervened to protect his neighbour during a violent assault in Frankston in 2015 has been recognised with an Australian Bravery Decoration.
Russell Harrison was commended for his brave conduct during an assault in Frankston on 11 December 2015, after hearing his female neighbour scream for help.
At approximately 1 pm, Harrison was at home when he heard the woman calling for help. He crossed the street and saw a person running to the back of the home.
Harrison jumped the fence and ran to the back of the house, where he witnessed the offender assaulting his neighbour in her laundry.
He verbally confronted the offender, which allowed the woman to break free and escape.
As the offender ran, Harrison instructed his neighbour to leave before pursuing him.
He caught up with the offender as he attempted to open the locked front screen door.
Harrison asked him to stop, and the offender turned and lunged at him, which prompted a struggle.
Harrison held the offender in a chokehold until the police arrived.
When police arrived at the scene, they noted the offender was not breathing, and Harrison immediately administered CPR until additional officers arrived and took over. The offender was pronounced dead at the scene.
Harrison said at the time, he faced criticism online, including accusations he had murdered the offender.
He said receiving the bravery decoration provides validation he did the right thing.
“At the time that the situation happened, people were questioning, and online, they were saying, oh, I murdered him and stuff like that,” said Harrison. “And in actuality, I saved a woman’s life.”
Harrison said he never meant to harm the offender and had only wanted to restrain him until police arrived.
“Even after everything I’ve been through, I’d still do it again,” said Harrison.
He attributed his instinct to help his neighbour to a lifetime of community service.
Harrison became a member of a fire department rescue squad at 16 years old before serving in the US military and then becoming a paramedic.
“I’ve always basically been a protector,” said Harrison.
Harrison has since moved from Frankston to Geelong, but said he still visits the area regularly.
He said he is grateful for the recognition but doesn’t consider himself a hero.
“I don’t see myself as a hero,” said Harrison. “I just see myself as doing what I thought everybody else did, which was helping someone who was in danger.”
Harrison was among those recognised in the latest Australian Bravery Decorations.
On 1 September, Governor-General Sam Mostyn announced 30 bravery decorations, recognising 54 individuals who acted in dangerous circumstances to protect others.
“On National Wattle Day, I am proud to announce and congratulate the most recent recipients of Australian Bravery Decorations,” said Mostyn.
“The Australians honoured today remind us of the strength and depth of the human spirit.”
Mostyn said she wanted to acknowledge acts of courage can leave physical and emotional impacts.
“To all the brave Australians we honour today, thank you for your selfless and determined courage and care for others,” said Mostyn.
First published in the Frankston Times – 8 September 2026