Family hails worker killed on job as hero
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CARROLL COUNTY, Tenn. — A West Tennessee man killed on the job in Kentucky is remembered for sacrificing his life to save another. His family sat down exclusively with WBBJ 7 Eyewitness News to tell his story. Jonathan Moore would have celebrated his 20th birthday Monday, but his life was cut short Thursday after being trapped in a collapsed trench on a construction site. His family said it was in that trench that he sacrificed his life for a co-worker. “He was a hero in my eyes and everyone’s eyes,” Moore’s brother Christopher Cutts said. Private First Class Jonathan Moore gave the ultimate sacrifice Thursday but not on your typical battle field. “He sacrificed ultimately so that man’s kids didn’t have to say goodbye to their daddy,” Moore’s mother Stephanie Buddie said. Moore’s family said he had been working for a Tennessee construction company for the past month. “He loved his job. He really loved his job,” Buddie said. “He loved being independent, and he was a hard working man.” And working with his best friend from day one until the end, they had each other’s back. “His best friend was there to hold his hand through it all,” Moore’s friend Brittany Ward said. “He did all he could to save him — CPR, everything.” Officials say the man who survived the accident was rescued after being trapped for nearly five hours in a collapsed trench. Family said the pair were working on sewer pipes and believe this accident was avoidable. “There was a malfunction that could have been prevented with a little bit of extra time and a little bit more precaution,” Cutts said. But although still looking for answers, friends and family want Moore to be remembered as the optimistic and giving person he always was. “His cup was always half full — looking for the bright side of everything,” Buddie said. The Kentucky Occupational Safety and Health Department is investigating the incident along with local police. Moore’s family says the company he was working for will be taking care of all funeral expenses.
