L-R-Shayla Gramajo, DA Susan Cacace, Armando Gramajo
By Dan Murphy
Westchester District Attorney Susan Cacace kicked off her inaugural Civilian Hero Awards by honoring a father and daughter who simply stood up and did the right thing.
Armando and Shayla Gramajo were recognized for the heroic actions they took in May of 2024 to save a woman who was being attacked by her husband. Armando’s quick thinking and bravery enabled him to stop the attack and call for his daughter Shayla — a physician assistant student at the time — to administer aid.
This remarkable act of selflessness and courage allowed the victim, who joined Cacace and her two protectors at the press conference, to live.
Carlos Obed-Tovar was in the middle of a violent rage. He was stabbing his wife to death in White Plains when Armando stepped forward to stop the attack, and Shayla made a makeshift tourniquet to stop the bleeding until emergency aid could arrive.
“She survived that day because two strangers, knowing nothing of the dispute at hand, did something no one asked them to do. They did something that placed them in the way of a knife-wielding assailant. They intervened and saved her life,” said Cacace.
Armando Gramajo is a Guatemalan-born bus driver who served in the Army. When he heard the woman’s cry for help he commanded Obed-Tovar to stop and he did.
Armando said, “I say, God thank you we were there when it happened.” We are all deeply thankful for what you did, which should set an example for all of us to do something or say something when you see someone in danger. Both you and your daughter have set an incredible example for our country.
