Trayvon Martin's father: "He saved my life"

(CBS News) The father of Trayvon Martin, the unarmed black teenager who was fatally shot last month by a neighborhood watch volunteer, said his son was his hero for saving his life in a fire when the boy was 9 years old.

The boy's parents appeared on "CBS This Morning" on Friday, a day after thousands attended a rally in Sanford, Fla., calling for the arrest of George Zimmerman.

Trayvon's father Tracy Martin told Charlie Rose how his son had once rescued him: "At the age of 9, he pulled me out of a fire, went back in the house, got the phone, came back out, called 911. He saved my life.

"And at his time of need, I wasn't there to save his life," he said. "But I pledge my life to continue to push forward until we get justice for my son."

Tracy described his boy as a "very bright young man. Trayvon loved his life. He loved his family. Very upbeat kid, mild, laid back. Never been in a run-in. Never had any run-ins with the law. Trayvon was a people's person. He was my hero and he'll be sadly missed."

Speaking of Thursday's rally, Martin said, "To hear everyone out there in the crowd screaming Trayvon's name, it just made us feel that Trayvon's life did matter in the world. The world knows Trayvon now."

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Trayvon's mother, Sybrina Fulton, told Gayle King that her son also respected police.

"Trayvon has a grandfather that is a retired police officer in Miami, so he knows to respect authority," Fulton said. "He knows about the police, he's not afraid of the police. However, he's seen this guy (Zimmerman) as a stranger, so of course he's going to try to run. He's going to try to get away. He's going to try to avoid any situation. And that's what we really believe, that he was really trying to get away."

Fulton said what she and Tracy Martin want is an arrest in the shooting. "We want George Zimmerman arrested for this crime," she said.

She said she herself has not heard from Zimmerman, "but this is an open investigation and I'm sure they're going to be talking to him very soon."

To watch the complete interview with Tracy Martin and Sybrina Fulton click on the video player above.

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[lovely1977]

neighborhood WATCH!!! YOU SEE SOMETHING SUSPICOUS FROM YOUR WINDOW YOU CALL THE POLICE NOT GO OUT THE DOOR AND TRY TO TAKE MATTERS INTO YOUR OWN HANDS. THATS HOW YOU HANDLE A SITUATION BECAUSE THE TRESPASSER COULD HAVE A WEAPON THEMSELVES
I AM SO DEEPLY SYMPATHETIC TO THE PARENTS BCUZ I TO HAVE A 17YR OLD. AND I WOULD HATE FOR SOMEONE TO SHOOT HIM FOR WHAT HE IS WEARING AND THE COLOR OF HIS SKIN, BLACK, SO ELIQUENTLY ZIMMERMAN COULD DESCRIBE THE TRESPASSER IN EVERY 56 CALLS. MAY GOD BLESS & KEEP YOU AND YOUR FAMILY

[Whyte_Tea_Rules]

So, Trayvon had a right to trespass in a gated community and knock down a beat someone that is on the neighborhood watch?

[lovely1977]

neighborhood WATCH!!! YOU SEE SOMETHING SUSPICOUS FROM YOUR WINDOW YOU CALL THE POLICE NOT GO OUT THE DOOR AND TRY TO TAKE MATTERS INTO YOUR OWN HANDS. THATS HOW YOU HANDLE A SITUATION BECAUSE THE TRESPASSER COULD HAVE A WEAPON THEMSELVES

[visiopher]

I don't believe the Sanford PD was hampered in making an arrest of Zimmerman by the Stand Your Ground law. I think the Sanford PD decided at the time they responded to the shooting to use the law to get Zimmerman off. Using this law to protect the murderer of a black boy was their idea and during their chat with Zimmerman at their station they likely even coached Zimmerman on what to claim and say. This is why no standard procedures were followed during the investigation such as drug and alcohol testing and the gathering of evidence. The Sanford PD thought they could hide behind this law and make this easily go away. For Bill Lee to claim his department's investigation was thourough, fair, and complete is preposterous. This is one reason he must be fired. Another is that the Sanford PD, by these actions, is actually complicit in the murder of Trayvon Martin. Charges should not only be brought against Zimmerman but also against those involved at the Sanford PD, particularly Bill Lee.

[jc666]

It will be so important to hear all the facts and listen to what Zimmerman says. I'm not saying he was justified but let the investigation proceed. We may all be shocked ...

[TargetZero99]

Here's what Zimmerman will say, "I pursued the black man in a game of cat and mouse". I wanted to kill me a N*gg*r, but while he was running from me, I jumped on him and he fought back, so I shot and killed him. I figured I could cause the law said I could." That's what Zimmerman will say.

[[e-mail]]

What I don't get is, why was Zimmerman following Trayvon?

[dreamymiss100]

When my son was also 9, he saved our home and family from a fire as well. "Hero" is exactly the right word, and hero's have big hearts. They don't turn around and attack people unless seriously provoked and thinking themselves in dire danger. My kids are very aware that kids get kidnapped, abused, and killed by strangers. I'm sure this young man had this in his mind at the time. HE was probably the one defending himself, and when Zimmerman felt he no longer had the upper hand, pulled that gun (if it wasn't already pulled). I wouldn't be at all surprised that Trayvon was acting in a brave and heroic manner with some stranger who pulled up in a car...what would you think, even as an adult?

[Qairo]

Florida state created a loop for mad guys like in "Taxi Driver" movie to execute their madness. Imperious desire to kill somebody if the victim is a bad or innocent guy, whatever........Untrained, unchecked vigilante "King of the hill" that found a cover for his desire to kill.

[doofus-slapper]

Was Trayvon smart enough to know what a neighborhood watch program is?
Was he smart enough to know what kind of behavior is looked for?
Was Trayvon's father oblivious to the same?

Trayvon Martin had preconceptions based on what he observed.
George Zimmermon had preconceptions based on what he observed.

If I walk into a bank wearing a hoody covering my head, walking unusually slow, looking left and right, concealing one hand in my pants, and then evade the security guard if he tries to approach me... everyone their should just relax and chill.

A bank security guard being there suggests the employees harbor fear.
A gated community with neighborhood watch program signs posted would suggest the local residents harbor fear.

Obviously the religious fruits are out.
But in evolutionary theory... stupid genes are weeded out.

[assphuqer]

And that 9 year old boy grew up into a 6'3" thug that knocked Zimmerman down, cutting the back of his head and busting his nose open, to which he got what was coming to him. Those sounds of screams were Zimmerman yelling for help while the blacks let Trayvon beat Zimmerman up. Blacks are covering up the truth to protect one of their own.

[froglips101]

So Trayvon was strolling around with a bottle of soda and some skittles, some stranger walks up to him and he doesn't have the right to protect himself? You Sir are a fool.

[CalKar]

Did you listen to the tapes? The police told Zimmerman not to pursue this unarmed boy. Zimmerman had the gun and pushed Trayvon around. Yes, maybe Trayvon fought back...but that would make him the person protected by Florida law where Zimmerman was the aggressor. And, it was Zimmerman who shot and killed the boy. The color of Trayvon's skin should make no difference. Trayvon was unarmed and Zimmerman was packing and pursued him.

[pgb412]

i would like to express mine and my family deepest sympathy to Trayvons family. the whole situation is sad from beginning to end. i hope they find justice for the great wrong done to their child. the pain may never ease for them but they have the love and support of millions across this great country.