This irresponsible behavior has got to stop.

Last week in Manhattan, a Navy veteran named Wesley Autrey leapt right in front of the Number 1 train, while his two daughters watched in horror.  The train screeched to a halt, but not before five cars had passed over his body.  Miraculously, he survived in the one-foot space under the train. For his actions, Autrey has been rewarded with a commendation from the city, a trip to Florida and $10,000 from Donald Trump. This week Chrysler chipped in a brand new Jeep Patriot and a year of free parking.  And why?  Simply because, when he jumped, Autrey managed to grab and cover the body of Cameron Hollopeter – who had fallen onto the tracks when he suffered a seizure – thus saving his life.

Two days later, up in the Bronx, two more New Yorkers got into this shameless “local hero” business.  Julio Gonzalez and Pedro Nevarez were standing under a fire escape when the sky started raining three-year-olds.  Young Timothy Addo had gotten out a window on the fourth floor, climbed over the rail, and hung on for dear life for a few minutes before taking the plunge.  Gonzalez and Nevarez heard his cry and managed to catch him before he hit the ground.  And what did they get for their troubles?  Nothing!  Just the thanks of a grateful city.

It’s catching on, even up in the sticks of New Hampshire.  On Wednesday a driver crashed her Pontiac on Route 107 and was pinned under her car.  Lucky for her, eight passers-by were able to lift and hold the car for several minutes until the EMT’s arrived.  But these Good Samaritans left the scene without giving their names, ensuring they’ll get no reward, no press clippings, no thanks at all.

Good deeds just for the sake of being helpful?  This irresponsible behavior has got to stop.