Man beaten with bat thanks his rescuers

BRANFORD, Conn. (WTNH) -- A Branford man got a chance to say thank you Monday to the paramedics who likely saved his life.
               
More than a year ago, 58-year old William Stewart was brutally beaten while trying to help a neighbor in need.

However, through it all, he never forgot the rescuers who came to his aid.

For Bill Stewart, it was a day to say thanks.

"Everybody says, please come help me, help me, help me, not too many think to say thank you," said Stewart.

However, that's exactly what Stewart was doing at Branford Fire Headquarters.

Stewart, a former Branford police officer and volunteer firefighter, has known many of the guys there for decades.

"To come in and see him come in the door and see him talking and expressing his opinions it surprised me," said Deputy Chief Ron Mullen, Branford Fire Dept. "I never thought this day would be here."

It was March of 2011 when paramedics were rushed to a house on Patrick Lane after getting reports that a man had been attacked.

"Things were moving so fast, I didn't have a chance to actually look and see who the victim was," said Mullen.

Only later, did he realize he'd been treating his long-time friend. 

Stewart suffered a brain injury and only recently returned home.

However, on Monday, among old friends and colleagues, he was emotional. And also at times jovial, which was evident by a zinger for the paramedic who drove the ambulance on that fateful day in 2011.

"I understand there may be a ticket waiting for you," Stewart said laughing.

Police arrested 36-year-old Neil Amendola for attacking Stewart from behind with a baseball bat.

Ironically, it happened at a house owned by Amendola's mother.

Stewart was there doing 'repair work' on the garage as a favor.

However, on Monday, the focus was on Bill Stewart, and the people who made it possible for him to still be around to say thank you.

"It doesn't happen often, so it means a lot," said rescuer John Cudma, "it's incredible, especially seeing first hand what he looked like originally after the incident."

"I've known all of these guys for years and I wasn't complete without saying thank you," Stewart said.

Stewart's attacker, Amendola, pleaded guilty to assault charges in the case, and will likely be sentenced to twelve and a half years in prison.