The award, named in honor of the Knicks’ first African-American player, Nat “Sweetwater” Clifton, recognizes those that have made a significant difference in the lives of others. Each month, a winner is chosen by members of the Knicks front office staff and honored at Madison Square Garden’s center court prior to a home game. Each winner receives a $2,000 donation, in their name, to a charity of their choice.

Fitzpatrick will accept the award during tonight’s New York Knicks-Los Angeles Lakers game at Madison Square Garden. He will donate the award money to the Phillip Paul Ognibene Scholarship Fund.

Fitzpatrick, a resident of Franklin Square, Long Island, was off duty on Thursday, Jan. 11 when another man waiting at the Flushing Station on the J train-line approached him. The Good Samaritan noticed Fitzpatrick's "FDNY" jacket and alerted him of an apparent distraught woman walking down a utility catwalk near the electrified tracks as a subway train was rapidly approaching the station. Fitzpatrick ran, grabbed the woman and pinned her to a railing on the side of the tracks. Despite the woman struggling to fight him off, Fitzpatrick was able to shield her body away from the oncoming train that came within inches of hitting Fitzpatrick's head. The unidentified man that alerted Fitzpatrick of the situation also assisted in the rescue.

To nominate your hero, or to read more about Daniel Fitzpatrick and other past winners, please visit nyknicks.com.