Citizen Honors Awards

Jencie Fagan of Reno, NV, a school teacher, went above and beyond with her brave stand against a school shooter who had already wounded two students. She courageously put herself in harm’s way by standing in front of the armed student, protecting others as she calmly talked the boy into putting down his weapon.

Matthew Miller of St. Paul, MN, a student and construction worker, went above and beyond for others as he saved the lives of ten people and helped scores of injured in the 35W Bridge Collapse in Minneapolis.

Don Schoendorfer of Orange County, CA, an engineer, for going above and beyond as an advocate for the disabled, as he created, manufactured and distributed over 250,000 wheelchairs to those in need.

Timothy Brooks of Philadelphia, PA, for valiantly rescuing a woman and her three children who were stranded in the Delaware River after their tour boat collided with a barge and sank.

David Bryan of Kansas City, MO for going above and beyond by valiantly rescuing a motorist from a burning automobile on Eastbound I-70, one mile from the city of Higginsville, Missouri.

Marie Conley of Boston, MA, for sacrificing her life to save a young boy by shielding him with her own body from a car that was barreling towards him.

Dr. Jordy Cox of Phoenix, AZ, who selflessly volunteered and offered his medical skills to perform surgeries that have saved many lives in Haiti, the Congo, and the Ivory Coast.

Jeremy Hernandez of Minneapolis, MN, a part-time youth worker, for going above and beyond by saving the lives of 50 children as the school bus they were on was about to plunge into the Mississippi River following the I-35W Bridge Collapse.

James McCormick of New Haven, WV for selflessly helping hundreds of homeless veterans find jobs and housing through his non-profit Raising Cane Farms.

Montell Mixon of Saint Paul, MN for valiantly rescuing a women from her burning home after she had been locked in the bathroom by her boyfriend who had set the house on fire.

Dylan Nelson of Madison, SD, who sacrificed his own life while saving two others in Lake Madison.

Rick Rescorla of NJ, who sacrificed his life on September 11, 2001 by courageously rescuing his fellow citizens, by ordering the evacuation of all 2,700 Morgan Stanley Dean Witter & Co. employees from the building and leading them to safety, and then re-entering the building to search for survivors.

Jeffrey Michael Ross of Roseville, CA, who rescued a semiconscious woman from her sinking vehicle in the Folsom South Canal.

Dr. Pascal Spino of Greensburg, PA, for a lifetime's commitment to treating children, often not charging those who cannot afford healthcare, and saving tens of thousands of lives.

Brendon Wemhoff of Lincoln, NE for heroically risking his own life in an attempt to protect the people around him by foiling a robbery.