The Town of Cicero Board Tuesday applauded the “courage and heroism” of a 19-year-old Cicero resident who intervened to assist a fellow student at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) who on March 31 was the victim of a sexual assault in the bathroom of one of the school’s dormitories.

David Guerrero, who is a freshman student at UIC, heard a fellow student calling for help from the woman’s shower in his dormitory and rushed to her assistance. Guerrero helped the young woman and remained on the scene to identify the alleged suspect when police arrived. Police have since charged 28-year-old Tavares Humphries with attempted murder, aggravated criminal sexual assault, aggravated kidnapping, battery of a police officer and residential burglary.

“What you did David was an act of heroism. It was an act of courage. Too often, people see bad things happen but do nothing. You acted,” said Town Assessor Emilio Cundari during the board’s presentation. Guerrero was accompanied by his mother. His father is a part-time Cicero Police Officer. “I want to thank you for this. It’s a great honor. I grew up in Cicero and I love our community,” Guerrero said.

Trustee Dennis Raleigh read the resolution honoring Guerrero and then congratulated him for his “act of courage.” Clerk Maria Punzo-Arias said, “When I heard the story of what you did, it brought tears to my eyes not just because you are from Cicero but because in today’s world, so many people see someone in need but no one helps. You did help and that was important.”