JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- A Jacksonville teen was honored Thursday for saving a woman's life.

Jamar Williams, 14, of Jacksonville, received an award from Jacksonville Sheriff's Office.

“Folks like Jamar, step up and help JSO, help their community, help citizens in need, we celebrate that,” said Jacksonville Sheriff John Rutherford.

On December 26, 2008, Jamar and his mother were escorting senior citizens home from a holiday party when he witnessed an accident.

“This elderly lady lost control of her car, and flipped the car over,” said Williams.

The 83-year-old woman hit a tree and was unable to free herself from the overturned vehicle.

“I was nervous,” Williams said. “I thought she had died.”

His mother said that before she could put the car in park, her son ran out to assist the woman.

“I had to kind of pry the door open and then I pulled her out,” said Williams.

The woman was not present at the awards ceremony, but Jamar said that he is still in contact with her. He says she and her family were appreciative and bought him a gift certificate to Best Buy as a token of their gratitude. For Jamar, his act of selflessness was not for money or recognition.

“If you see someone and their in need, help them,” Williams said.

Rutherford was quick to defend the perception of Jamar’s generation.

“So many times you hear people say that this is a bad generation, the worst generation, well Jamar proves that that's not true,” Sheriff Rutherford said.

His parents say they are proud of their son's heroic act and that since that night, he has matured considerably and that he's turning into a responsible young adult.