By David Eck
Enquirer contributor

Gary Stewart dismisses talk of being a hero. He says he is just a guy who was able to help someone in trouble.

But Stewart, 36, of Green Township is winning praise for getting involved when he realized a man was viciously beating a woman in Miami Whitewater Forest Thursday morning.

"His presence stopped the attack," said Sgt. Dale Reatherford, a Hamilton County Park District ranger. "He did detain the guy."

Stewart, who is training for next month's Flying Pig Marathon, was running in the park shortly after 10 a.m. when he heard a scream.

"I looked back and here's this heavyset guy," Stewart said. "This woman jumped up and said, 'Help me!' "

Stewart told police the man had hit her in the back of the head with what appeared to be a sawed-off baseball bat.

The suspect then made a threatening move so Stewart said he kicked the man in the stomach. Stewart's girlfriend, who was riding in-line skates as Stewart ran, sprayed the suspect with Mace.

The couple held the man until a Hamilton County sheriff's deputy arrived.

The suspect, Steven Potter, 39, of Harrison, is charged with felonious assault, Sgt. Reatherford said. The victim's name was not released.

Potter has been a volunteer firefighter/EMT with the Crosby Township Fire Department for less than a year, fire officials said.

"He has been suspended and we're in the process of dismissing him," Crosby Township Fire Chief Bruce Downard said.

"I couldn't believe it," Stewart said. "I thought he was crazy. She lost so much blood. I'm shocked she didn't pass out."

The attack appeared to be a random act of violence, Sgt. Reatherford said.

E-mail daveck@fuse.net